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Tensions as clergymen are hurt in knife attack

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date17 April 2024
Publication titleJournal, The
Australian police have declared the stabbing a religiously motivated "terrorist act"

The 16-year-old was overpowered by the shocked congregation at Christ the Good Shepherd Church after he allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and

Fr Isaac Royel during a service on Monday that was being streamed online.

Police have not commented on reports that the boy's fingers were severed by parishioners in the Orthodox Assyrian church in suburban Wakeley, but confirmed his hand injuries were "severe".

Video of the attack spread quickly on social media and an angry mob converged on the church demanding vengeance.

They hurled bricks, bottles and fence boards at police, who temporarily barricaded the boy inside the church for his own safety. Many in the crowd chanted "an eye for an eye" and "bring him out".

Several people including police officers required hospital treatment following the hours-long riot.

The church said in a statement yesterday it "denounced retaliation of any kind".

Police stood guard around mosques in parts of Sydney yesterday after reports that text messages were circulating urging the Assyrian Christian community to retaliate against...

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