Sydney Church Stabbing Is Classified As Terrorist Act by Australian Police

According to Australian police, religious extremism served as an inspiration for the 16-year-old suspect in the church knife attack.

The stabbing at a Sydney church on Monday has been labeled by Australian authorities as a “terrorist act” with religious motivations, raising concerns about radicalism in the nation.

A 16-year-old attacker attacked a bishop, a priest, and parishioners during mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church. The attacker was one of at least four people who suffered “non-life-threatening” injuries.

Graphic videos of the assault, which was recorded on a church livestream, went viral on social media and caused disturbance in the Wakeley area. At the Assyrian Orthodox Church, hundreds of people gathered and got into violent altercations with the police officers stationed there.

Two cops were hurt in the altercations, which also caused damage to police cars and a tense standoff that lasted for more than three hours.

In response to the “disturbing” attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an urgent conference of national security agencies, emphasizing that Australia is a “peace-loving nation” that will not tolerate violent extremism.

The bishop and priest were receiving surgery, as revealed by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, who also expressed appreciation that they had survived the assault.

Before carrying out the attack, the attacker—a juvenile known to the police—allegedly made statements with a religious motivation.

Authorities think that the livestreamed ceremony was planned specifically to scare worshippers who were in person as well as those who were watching online. They contend, meanwhile, that the suspect acted alone and wasn’t listed on any watch lists for terrorists.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, who warned against retaliatory violence and reassured that law enforcement will pursue justice for those involved in the church incident, encouraged calm in the face of increased fear.

A few days prior, a Sydney retail center saw a stabbing spree that resulted in seven fatalities, causing significant unease throughout the country.

The incident has had a significant impact on the Wakeley neighborhood, which is home to Sydney’s Christian Assyrian population. Bishop Emmanuel, a prominent member of the community, has generated controversy within the Assyrian Church but is still well-liked by most.