Australia calls attack on church “act of terrorism” – DW – 04/16/2024

Police Australia This Tuesday (04/16/2024) said a Stabbed in an Assyrian church Sydney called for a “terrorist” act of religious motivation and pacification of the local population.

Four people, including a prominent bishop, were seriously injured in the attack on Monday afternoon, April 15, at a church located in the western part of the country. Sydney.

New South Wales State Police Commissioner Karen Webb told a press conference: “After considering all the factors, I have declared this a terrorist incident.

The suspect in the attack is “known to police,” according to Webb, but is not on any terror watch list.

The attack was recorded

A live broadcast showed the attack. In the footage, a man can be seen approaching the altar with a knife, then attacks the priest, unleashing panic among parishioners.

Police officers who responded to the incident were attacked by people outside the church, Webb said.

“People used bricks, concrete, poles to attack the police” and threw objects at the officers and their vehicles. He said around 20 police vehicles were damaged in the encounter.

The neighborhood where the attack took place has a small Assyrian Christian community, mostly people fleeing persecution and war in Iraq and Syria.

mg (afp, Reuters)