Australian authorities have declared the recent assault on an Assyrian church bishop and his followers in Sydney as a terrorist act, citing suspected religious fanaticism as the motivating force.
During a live-streamed liturgy on Monday, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church was attacked with a knife, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals.
The incident, which occurred in the western Sydney suburb of Wakeley, led to altercations outside the church between law enforcement and a group of supporters demanding justice.
“We have reason to believe that religious extremism played a significant role in this attack,” stated New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb during a press briefing, later categorizing the incident as terrorism after a thorough review of evidence.
Authorities noted the apparent premeditation involved, as the assailant reportedly traveled a distance from his residence to the church armed with a knife. However, it’s been emphasized that current investigations suggest the perpetrator acted alone.
In response to the incident, Christ the Good Shepherd Church characterized it as an isolated occurrence and expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities in uncovering the attacker’s motives.
“The Church condemns any form of retaliation,” the statement from the church conveyed.
Officials urged the public to refrain from taking matters into their own hands, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the law.
“Any attempt at reprisal violence will be met with the full force of the law in Sydney,” warned New South Wales state Premier Chris Minns during a media briefing.
