Teenager charged with terrorism over Sydney bishop stabbing

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 (Apr 19), as investigations continued into a riot after the knife attack.

Footage from the scene following the attack, which took place on Monday, showed the boy restrained by the congregation and shouting at the bishop for insulting Islam.

Police said they will allege he stabbed the bishop, who is in stable condition in hospital, as many as six times. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The boy was refused bail.

The 53-year-old bishop has a popular youth following on TikTok and has been a target of criticism, hate and online trolling. His sermons range from homilies on the Bible to fiery criticisms of homosexuality, COVID-19 vaccinations, Islam and the election of US President Joe Biden.

A mob of thousands descended on the church after the attack, where they clashed with police and demanded the boy be brought out to face justice. 

More than 50 police officers were injured and 20 police cars were damaged.

Hours afterwards the Lakemba mosque, one of Australia's largest, received fire bomb threats.

Thousands of Muslims gathered in mosques across Sydney for regular prayers on Friday despite concerns about retaliatory attacks.

Standing outside the mosque on Friday as worshippers streamed past, community leader Gamel Kheir said Muslim women were worried they would be singled out and those who worked for the mosque overseer had been asked to work from home for now.

"Our real fear is one of targeting women who are identifiable through their head scarves walking through the streets or shopping centres. At the moment they're scared to do that," said Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which oversees three mosques including Lakemba.

Coming only days after a mass stabbing in Bondi, the attack on Emmanuel and the possibility of reprisals have put the normally peaceful Sydney on edge. Gun and knife crime is rare in the city, one of the world's safest.

On his way to pray at the mosque on Friday, Abdul Masri, 32, told Reuters he was concerned about the possibility of further incidents.

"I don't fear, but I still worry, you know," he said.

Bishop Emmanuel on Thursday pleaded for peace and said he had forgiven his attacker in an audio message recorded in hospital.

Kheir thanked the priest for his message of forgiveness and calm.

"At the end of the day we all share the same message, we share the same land, we all share the same community." 

The incidents have sparked calls for greater public security in Australia, where gun crimes and knife attacks are rare due to tough laws.

The shopping centre will reopen for business on Friday, while a candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday to mourn the victims. The attacker, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi, was shot to death by police inside the mall.