Teenage Boy Charged with Attempted Murder for Stabbing Christian Orthodox Bishop
The accusation of attempting to murder is directed towards Bishop Emmanuel, while the charge of intending to cause serious bodily harm is aimed at Father Royal.
The teenager who allegedly stabbed an Orthodox Christian bishop during a live-streamed service will now face additional charges in addition to the current charge of committing a terrorist act.
A court hearing on June 14 revealed that the 16-year-old boy will now also be facing charges of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The incident occurred during a sermon at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, Sydney, where the boy pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
In the same attack, a 39-year-old priest, Father Isaac Royal, was also injured.
The 16-year-old perpetrator, who police suspect recently converted to Islam, sustained injuries, including losing a finger during the attack.
The accusation of intent to murder is specifically directed towards Bishop Emmanuel, while the charge of intending to cause serious bodily harm pertains to Father Royal.
The boy had previously been charged with a terrorism offense, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Authorities found 52,000 images and 7,500 videos on the teen’s phone, some of which will require a terrorism evidence notice to access.
The boy’s lawyer emphasized that the boy has a history of behavior consistent with mental illness or an intellectual disability.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw stated that the attack meets the definition of a terrorist act due to its religious motivation to further a cause.
In his first public statement following the attack, Bishop Emmanuel expressed forgiveness towards the perpetrator and those behind the incident.
Several other individuals, including juveniles, have been charged in relation to the stabbing incident and subsequent violent riots outside the church.
The alleged stabber’s case is scheduled to return to court on July 26.
AAP contributed to this article
