Counter-terror raids across Sydney part of ongoing investigation into church stabbing, say NSW police

Several people have been arrested after a series of counter-terror raids in Sydney today, say authorities.

ABC News reported seven people have been arrested and a further five juveniles are being questioned by police as part of the ongoing investigation into last week’s stabbing attack at an Assyrian Orthodox church in city’s southwest.

Some 400 police conducted 13 raids across the city, ABC reported.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson told Australian media the arrested people share a “religiously motivated violent extremist ideology”.

“A number of associates were identified that we believe warranted further police attention and investigation,” he said.

“These investigations have been progressing since the incident.”

AAP reported counter-terrorism police had been monitoring members of a religiously motivated violent extremist group since the April 15 stabbing, committed by an allegedly terror-inspired 16-year-old.

No specific targets had been nominated but the ongoing threat and loose nature of the group including some splinter groups, alarmed authorities, NSW police said.

“Overt action was required,” Deputy Commissioner Investigations and Counter Terrorism David Hudson told reporters today.

AAP reported police stressed they were targeting the youths based on alleged criminality, not their background.

“We target radicalisation, not religion,” Deputy Commissioner National Security Krissy Barrett said.

The attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was broadcast on the church’s livestream.

In a post on social media earlier today, NSW Police said: “The JCTT Sydney is executing search warrants in Sydney today as part of an ongoing investigation.”

Police said there was no current threat to public safety and no connection to Anzac Day commemorations.

“More information will be provided later today, but nothing further is available at this time.”

The JCTT Sydney is executing search warrants in Sydney today as part of an ongoing investigation.

There is no current threat to public safety and no connection to Anzac Day commemorations.

More information will be provided later today, but nothing further is available at this…

— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) April 24, 2024

Last week, NSW Police said they were treating the knife attack at the western Sydney church as a terrorist act.

The 16-year-old boy was arrested after a stabbing, which also sparked unrest as an angry mob confronted police.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the boy allegedly made comments as he launched the attack.

“After consideration of all the material, I declared that it was a terrorist incident,” she told reporters last Tuesday.

NSW Premier Chris Minns urged calm after the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, with the incident broadcast on the church’s livestream.

“Those violent pictures are probably what caused the uproar in the community - people saw that, responded and unfortunately we ended up with a public order incident,” NSW acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland also told reporters.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time: “There is no place for violence in our community, there is no place for violent extremism we are a peace-loving nation.”

After the attack, a mob gathered outside the church and “a public order incident developed requiring police from all regions across Sydney”.

More than 100 police officers and 30 police vehicles attended and the suspect was later removed from the church.

Two police officers were taken to hospital after being injured and several police cars were damaged.

- Additional reporting AAP