SYDNEY: Australian police have stood by their decision to classify a 16-year-old’s alleged stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church as a “terrorist” act, despite concerns from community leaders about its implications.
The incident occurred during a live-streamed sermon at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in western Sydney, where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked on Monday. Although no fatalities occurred, the bishop sustained serious injuries to the head and chest and was promptly hospitalized.
New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb defended the decision to designate the attack as terrorism, citing state law criteria that define a terrorist act as one motivated by political, religious, or ideological causes, aimed at intimidating the public.
“I made that declaration without hesitation,” Webb stated, emphasizing that the classification was made strictly in accordance with legal guidelines.
However, Webb acknowledged community concerns and emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation into the attacker’s motives.
Despite labeling the incident as terrorism, Webb clarified that this designation does not automatically entail terrorism-related charges against the teenager.
Following the declaration, a joint counter-terrorism task force has been initiated to investigate the attack, involving state and federal police forces along with the intelligence service ASIO.
The police chief’s decision drew mixed reactions from community leaders. Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, expressed reservations about the swift terrorism classification, suggesting it could escalate tensions unnecessarily.
Dai Le, the member of parliament for the Fowler electorate encompassing the church, voiced shock over the terrorism designation and raised concerns about heightened community tensions.
The incident has prompted increased security measures at Sydney mosques, with threats reported on social media against local mosques following the church attack.
Despite differing opinions on the terrorism label, authorities continue to stress the importance of a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the motives behind the stabbing incident.
