Extreme teens in terrorism charges
Five teenagers have been charged with terrorism and extremism offences after an alleged youth terror cell was uncovered during an investigation into the stabbing of a Sydney bishop.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was allegedly stabbed six times by a 16-year-old boy who remains in custody on remand after being charged with a terrorism offence.
On Wednesday, more than 400 officers were involved in sweeping searches across Sydney and Goulburn as part of a counter terrorism investigation linked to the religious leader’s stabbing.
Police arrested five teenagers who they claim are associates of the 16-year-old who allegedly conducted the stabbing at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on August 15.
All five teens, who are aged between 14 and 17, were charged with terrorism and extremism offences.
A 17-year-old boy was charged with conspiring to engage in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act and having a knife in a public place.
Two 16-year-old boys were also charged with conspiring to engage in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.
A 14-year-old boy and a 17year-old boy were charged with possessing violent extremist material accessed using a carriage device, such as a mobile phone.
All five teens were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Sydney Children’s Court on Thursday.
The arrests come more than a week after Bishop Emmanuel was attacked during the livestreamed service, sparking unrest outside the Wakeley church.
In a statement, police said 13 warrants were executed in Bankstown, Prestons, Casula, Lurnea, Rydalmere, Greenacre, Strathfield, Chester Hill, and Punchbowl. A property in Goulburn was also searched before seven juvenile males were arrested. A further five people, including two men and three juvenile males, are assisting police. Operational activity by was ongoing.