'I have a message to read': Sydney siege victim's emergency call released
An emergency phone call made by a man murdered in the Sydney siege has been played at an inquest into the 2014 incident.
Manager of the Lindt Chocolate Factory, Tori Johnson, called triple zero during the morning of Dec. 15 to pass on a message from the man holding him hostage. Earlier, gunman Man Haron Monis had entered the cafe, ordered a piece of cake and demanded the cafe be locked down.
Moments later, flags with Islamic symbols were being held by hostages in the windows of the cafe in the busy commuter area of Martin Place, as media around the world watched via a live stream. It was the beginning of a deadly siege, which lasted 16 hours, saw 18 hostages held.
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The siege ended with Johnson being shot dead at close range by Monis, before police stormed the cafe. As they did, Monis was killed and flying fragments of bullets killed customer Katrina Dawson. All other hostages escaped alive.
As the events began to unfold, Johnson made a call to emergency services. In a calm voice, he relayed the message from Monis -- who claimed allegiance to Islamic State, though this has never been verified despite the organisation praising his deeds.
"I'm calling from Martin Place, on the corner of Phillip Street, I need to read a message to you ... I have a message to read to you," Johnson said, as the call operator attempted to stall him.
He then said Monis had advised him that bombs were in three locations across the city and that the authorities should evacuate Martin Place, Circular Quay and George Street.
Monis claimed there were other "brothers" involved, with counsel assisting the coroner Jeremy Gormly telling the inquest that Monis had wanted to portray himself as a radical Islamic militant. He also wore clothing with Islamic script and had a speaker with wires in his backpack, alongside a shot gun, giving the impression that he was carrying a bomb.
"Police should not come close to me or other brothers otherwise they will explode the bombs. Some hostages have been taken," Johnson relayed.
"Australia is under attack by Islamic State, there are three bombs in three different locations -- Martin Place, Circular Quay and George Street -- I want to contact other brothers and ask them not to explode the other two bombs, but I can't contact as they don't carry a phone with them."
He claimed his accomplices, who didn't actually exist, had radios for communications, which were also explosive devices. He unsuccessfully demanded a public debate with the prime minister of Australia.
"The plan is to request Tony Abbott to call them or me and have a debate while it is broadcast live on ABC National Radio. So that is why they have radio, and the best way to contact them is by voice message to announce they should not explode the bombs," Johnson said in the message.
According to the inquest, Monis was monitoring news of the event as it unfolded. He requested an Islamic State flag after he read a report the flags in the window were not the same that the terrorist organisation used. Police sourced a flag, but it was never given to Monis.
The gunman became increasingly frustrated and aggressive as his demands were not met. Snipers and the Tactical Operations Unit took position around the cafe as the hours wore on, and multiple hostages made their escape. At 2 a.m. Australia time, police stormed the building, with multiple bangs coming from inside the cafe.
At the end of the dramatic event, Monis and two of his victims lay dead. This is the first time communication from inside the Lindt cafe has been released. Johnson's family unsuccessfully requested that it not be played at the inquest.
The inquest, which began in May 2015, is expected to continue for months.
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