“Anti-Terror Raids in Sydney: Seven Teenagers Arrested Following Stabbing of Assyrian Bishop”

The recent stabbing of an Assyrian bishop in Sydney has sparked a series of anti-terror raids across the city, resulting in the arrest of seven teenagers. More than 400 police officers were involved in executing search warrants at 13 properties, with the suspects considered an immediate threat to public safety.

The detainees, aged 15 to 17, were linked to a network that included a 16-year-old member involved in the attack on the bishop during a church sermon. Authorities expressed concerns that the group may have been planning further attacks, prompting the raids to prevent any potential harm to the public.

In addition to the seven arrests, five other teenagers are being questioned by a joint counterterrorism team, which includes federal and state police, ASIO, and the New South Wales Crime Commission. New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson stated that the individuals adhered to a religiously motivated, violent extremist ideology, posing an unacceptable risk to the community.

The stabbing of the bishop was classified as a terrorist act, driven by religious extremism. While investigators found no specific targets or timing for any intended violent acts, the operation was not related to the upcoming Anzac Day. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess highlighted the vulnerability of minors to radicalization, with investigations into minors comprising a significant portion of the agency’s counterterrorism caseload.

The raids and arrests underscore the ongoing threat posed by extremist ideologies and the importance of proactive measures to ensure public safety in the face of potential terrorist activities.