Thu. Nov 21st, 2024
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Images of 12 men who participated in a violent riot outside a church in Sydney’s south-west after a bishop was stabbed in an alleged terrorist incident have been released by NSW Police.

Three men have been charged over their alleged involvement in the melee outside The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley last Monday evening shortly after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed during a service that was being livestreamed.

Strike Force Dribs, set up to investigate the violence outside the church, has circulated images of men they want to speak to.

Superintendent Andrew Evans said the men were identified and their image released “due to the violent and aggressive nature of their actions”.

“We are doing everything we can to identify these men and are now appealing for public assistance,” he said in a statement.

“Someone in the community knows who they are.”

One man — known as Person A — has a large tattoo of Jesus Christ on his stomach, and others along his left arm. He was filmed jumping on top of police cars, while his face was covered.

Man on police car outside Sydney church during riot surrounded by lots of people Bulls Rd street sign behind him
NSW Police want to speak with the man who jumped on a police car during the disturbance.(Supplied: NSW Police )

Another — known as Person C — is described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, and has short black hair and a beard.

Man standing in street bathed in blue light cars behind and beside him which NSW Police says is at riot outside church

NSW Police have sought the public’s help to identify the man they have labelled Person C.(Supplied: NSW Police)

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence after he allegedly attacked the bishop who was delivering a sermon.

The teenager remained under police guard in hospital while his case was heard in Parramatta Children’s Court on Friday.

His lawyer Greg Scragg said his client had “a long history of behaviour consistent with suffering from a mental illness and or mental condition and or mental disorder”.

Over the weekend, Issa Haddad, 28, was granted bail after allegedly taking part in the “public order incident” that occurred outside.

Two others, Dani Mansour, 19, and Sam Haddad, 45, have also been charged and granted bail. 

A police prosecutor told Parramatta Local Court on Sunday that about 2,000 people filled the street on Monday night after the violent stabbing. 

He said 26 police officers were injured and “numerous” patrol cars were damaged.

Posted , updated 

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