The Australian police have detained a suspect in foreign embassies and consulates after finding threatening parcels. The 48-year-old from the city Shepparton had been caught in the night in his home, the investigators said.
The man should still appear on Thursday in court, it said. He faces up to ten years in prison for the shipment of hazardous substances by mail.
The detainee is said to be responsible for sending 38 parcels addressed to national representations in the metropolitan areas of Melbourne and Sydney as well as in the capital Canberra. It contained a substance, which had previously been suspected of being a suspected white powder, the exact composition of which was still being examined. So far, 29 of these packages have been secured, they said. There is no danger to the public.
Affected were, inter alia, diplomatic representations of France, India and Switzerland. To be on the safe side, several buildings were evacuated and closed. At first it was said that a package had also been handed in at the German consulate in Melbourne. The Foreign Office denied this, however. Warnings such as "asbestos" and "put on a mask" were printed on the mail.
In Melbourne, many states have consulates or are represented by honorary consuls. The embassies are based in Canberra.