One of two men charged with plotting a terror attack in Sydney was a “prominent” online extremist having joined Islamic State late last year, police allege.

Radwan Dakkak, 23, smiled at his supporters when he appeared briefly at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation, namely Islamic State, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

Mr Dakkak was arrested following raids on six Sydney properties on Tuesday by counter-terrorism police who also arrested 20-year-old Issak el Matari.

Isaak el Matari posted this photo of himself next to a slaughtered sheep. Credit:Facebook

Mr el Matari was on Wednesday charged with plotting a terror attack as well as also being a member of Islamic State.