Teenager charged with terrorism over Sydney bishop stabbing

Police will allege the bishop was stabbed as many as six times and that the boy had travelled for 90 minutes to reach the church from his home

By Reuters

April 20, 2024

A police officer lifts tape to let a car into the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in western Sydney, scene of a live-streamed stabbing. — AFP/File

SYDNEY: A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly stabbing an Assyrian church bishop in Sydney during a church service, Australian police said on Friday, as investigations continued into a riot after the knife attack.

Police from the joint counter terrorism team questioned the boy, who is in a hospital under police guard recovering from injuries, on Thursday and charged him with committing a terrorist act. If convicted, he could get a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life.

He has been refused bail and is expected to appear before a bedside court hearing on Friday, New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb said during a press conference.

Police will allege the bishop was stabbed as many as six times and that the boy had travelled for 90 minutes to reach the church from his home, Webb said.

A riot broke out outside the church soon after the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel after an angry crowd demanded the suspected attacker be handed over to them. More than 50 police officers were injured and 20 police cars were damaged.