Australian Agencies Launch Joint Investigation into Sydney Church Stabbing Declared Terrorist Act

In a shocking incident on Sunday, a 16-year-old male allegedly stabbed a bishop and a priest during a church service in Sydney's south-west. The New South Wales Police have declared the attack a terrorist act, citing religious extremism as the motive.

The suspect, who was subdued and held within the church by congregants, used an illegal switchblade knife in the attack. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the priest were wounded but are reported to be in stable condition. The incident triggered a riot outside the church as angry followers of the bishop clashed with police, demanding the attacker be handed over to them.

In response to the attack, Australian agencies have launched an extensive joint investigation. The Australian Federal Police, the national security agency ASIO, and state police have combined forces in a counter-terrorism task force to investigate the incident further. Two separate task forces have been established - one to look into the attacker's background and the other to identify those involved in the subsequent rioting.

Why this matters: The stabbing at the Sydney church and its declaration as a terrorist act highlight the ongoing threat of religiously motivated extremism in Australia. The incident has raised concerns about the radicalization of youth and the need for community vigilance and unity in the face of such attacks.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the attack, expressing concern about the radicalization of the teenage suspect. He emphasized the need for the community to remain united and not resort to vigilantism. The police commissioner defended the decision to declare the incident a terrorist act, stating it was made strictly in line with state law and based on the suspect's comments indicating a religious motive and premeditation.

The attack has also prompted action from the Australian eSafety Commissioner, who issued a 24-hour deadline to social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) to remove footage of the stabbing. This marks the first time the commissioner has formally invoked new legal powers to compel platforms to remove such content.

With the investigation ongoing, police have called for restraint and urged the community to remain calm. The incident has raised concerns about the role of social media in spreading harmful content, particularly among younger people. Prime Minister Albanese stressed the importance of responsible social media use, urging users to "think before you press send." The joint counter-terrorism task force will use all available powers to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice.

Key Takeaways

• 16-year-old male allegedly stabbed bishop and priest in Sydney church
• Police declared attack a terrorist act, citing religious extremism as motive
• Incident triggered riot outside church, police and counter-terrorism task force investigating
• Australian eSafety Commissioner ordered social media platforms to remove stabbing footage
• PM Albanese stressed need for community unity, responsible social media use