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An Islamic center in Australia linked with several men accused of terrorism-related offences shut down Thursday, citing harassment and "insidious campaigns" against it, AFP reported.

The Al-Furqan Islamic Center in Melbourne came under increased scrutiny after five men were arrested last weekend over an alleged plot to attack Anzac Day commemorations on April 25 -- when Australia honours its war dead.

Police said at the time that "Al-Furqan and a number of other centers around Australia have come to our attention."

Two of the teenagers, Sevdet Besim and Harun Causevic, have been charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act while another faces weapons offences. The others were released pending further inquiries.

The young men were associates of Numan Haider, who was shot dead after stabbing two anti-terror police officers in September, police said. Haider had visited the Al-Furqan center.

"This statement is to announce that, effective immediately, Al-Furqan Islamic Center is ceasing its activities and closing its doors," the center, run by cleric Harun Mehicevic, said in a statement on its website.

"We believe that given the constant harassment, pressure and false accusations levelled against the center -- particularly by media and politicians -- this is the best course of action."