Story:
Controversial YouTube Pranksters ‘Jalal Bothers’ Arrested by Counter-Terrorism Police.
Analysis:
Well-known internet pranksters the Jalal Brothers, who dress up in traditional Arab robes and try to scare unsuspecting bystanders in dozens of prank videos, were arrested by counter terrorism police on 25 February 2016 after raiding their home in South Morang, Melbourne, where they live with their parents. The arrest came after sparking outrage with the Jalal Brothers’ suicide bomber hoax video and ‘drive by shooting’ stunt targeting a young girl. The trio apologized for their pranks and later said that their terror prank videos were completely staged with family and friends.
The Jalal Brothers and Their Arrest
The Jalal Brothers Max (20), Arman (18), and Rebeen Jalal (16) became popular in late 2015 with a series of ‘public bomb scare’ stunts that showed a man in a white robe thrusting a black color bag into a man’s lap, into an open window of a car on a street, and also inside a building among many others. The Jalal Brothers then came up with public shooting pranks and kidnap of a woman on a busy Gold Coast street. Lately, they also came up with suicide bomber prank video and ‘drive by shooting’ stunts, also targeting a young girl standing by a phone box (see pictures). The counter terrorism police investigated into their controversial fake terror attack videos for a month before taking the Jalal Brothers into custody for questioning. Ross Guenther, Assistant Commissioner from Victoria Police told media that their prank videos portray terrorists in a certain way and create fear and anxiety in the community. He said that they can promote criminal behavior and also mentions there is potential for serious injury.
Their Apologies and a Confession
With their prank videos on terrorists, the Jalal Brothers became popular online and their Facebook page garnered millions of fans. But after their arrest and controversy at the centre of a media storm, the Jalal Brothers apologized for their prank terror videos and made a surprising confession – they are all completely staged with family and friends roped in to play the parts. As shown in the video, they mentioned that the young girl in the latest drive-by shooting video was actually their nine-year-old cousin Mary Jalal. A caller from Knoxfield, Liam told Triple M’s Merrick and Australia show that he had appeared in one bomb scare video after being approached by the Jalal Brothers to take part. He said the video shoot took six takes before they were happy. Liam believes that many of the stunts from the Jalal Brothers were faked, or at the very least set up.
The Jalal Brothers were charged with public nuisance, possessing a prohibited weapon, and behaving in an offensive manner in a public place. They were bailed out, but banned from producing any more terror prank videos that involved what looked like scaring ordinary people. The elder brothers Max and Arman Jalal are due to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on May 20, while the 16-year-old Rebeen Jalal has to appear at a children’s court. The controversy aside, terrorism is a serious concern; it isn’t something to joke about.
Hoax or Fact:
Fact with some missing information.
References:
Jalal Brothers ARRESTED by counter-terrorism police after prank videos
Jalal brothers: YouTube pranksters sorry for drive-by shooting video
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