Sydney: Australian authorities announced on Friday that a 16-year-old boy faces charges related to a terrorism offense following the alleged stabbing of an Assyrian church bishop during a service in Sydney. The incident, which occurred during a church gathering, prompted ongoing investigations by the police.
The boy, currently hospitalized under police supervision due to injuries, was questioned by the joint counter-terrorism team on Thursday. He has been charged with committing a terrorist act, a charge that carries a potential life imprisonment sentence upon conviction. New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb provided details during a press briefing, stating that the boy has been denied bail and is slated to appear for a bedside court hearing on Friday.
According to Webb, police assert that the bishop sustained multiple stab wounds, with the assailant traveling approximately 90 minutes from his residence to the church. Following the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a disturbance erupted outside the church premises, with an enraged crowd demanding the apprehension of the suspected attacker. This led to clashes resulting in injuries to over 50 police officers and damage to 20 police vehicles.
Bishop Emmanuel, aged 53, holds a significant following on social media platform TikTok but has faced criticism, hate speech, and online harassment. His online presence encompasses a range of topics, from religious teachings to contentious viewpoints on issues such as homosexuality, COVID-19 vaccinations, Islam, and the U.S. presidential election.
In a social media post on Thursday, Bishop Emmanuel expressed forgiveness toward his attacker and indicated a swift recovery. The recent knife attacks, including the one at the mall near Bondi Beach claiming six lives on Saturday and the incident at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney’s west on Monday, have stirred shock among the city’s residents.
These events have spurred discussions regarding enhanced public safety measures in Australia, a nation known for its stringent gun control laws that have historically kept gun-related crimes and knife attacks at bay.
Efforts to return to normalcy include the reopening of the shopping center on Friday, while a candlelight vigil is scheduled for Sunday to honor the victims. The assailant in the mall incident, identified as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, was fatally shot by police at the scene.
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