Sydney’s biggest court complex has been deemed safe after hundreds of people were forced to evacuate over a suspicious package.
Sky News reporter Caroline Marcus says Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial against Nine News which was thrown out by the judge had a lot “riding on” it.
“Justice Anthony Besanko was tasked for the first time for a court with ruling on allegations of war crimes, and that’s why it’s being called a de factor war crimes trial,” she told Sky News host Peta Credlin.
“In essence, he found today that some of the most serious allegations in a series of articles printed by the Nine Newspaper group back in 2018 were proved to be substantially true.”
Sydney Downing Centre Court was evacuated on Friday morning after reports of a concerning parcel in the complex.
Staff, lawyers and the public were asked to leave about 10am.
Just over half an hour later they were allowed back in as police pulled down the tape.
People were evacuated from the Downing Centre after a suspicious package was found inside. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw
Specialist police attended the scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw
NSW Police said in a statement that the suspicious package located in the building had been rendered safe.
Officers and sheriffs crowded around the X-ray machine inside the building foyer after people were ushered out of the six-storey complex.
Hundreds of people spilt onto Liverpool St, Castlereagh St, and Elizabeth St in Sydney’s CBD as police stormed the historic courthouse.
Officers wearing helmets and reinforced vests entered the historic building as dozens of police outside the courthouse ensured courtgoers were escorted safely away from the building.
Most of the crowd have now re-entered after waiting an hour to receive the all clear from the authorities.
Hundreds of people were ushered out of the courthouse. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw
The police operation has now ended. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw
The exclusion zone set up on Elizabeth, Goulburn, and Liverpool streets has lifted and the roads have reopened.
NSW Police said in a statement that there was no risk to the public.
Officers will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.