Five teenagers charged following counter-terrorism raids

Five teenagers have been charged as part of the counter-terrorism operation following the stabbing of a prominent bishop at a Sydney church.

NSW Police and Australian Federal Police said they had identified a “number of associates” of a 16-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley.

Despite the recent attack, police confirmed there was no specific threat to public safety and Anzac Day commemorations.

Seven teenage boys were arrested yesterday after 13 search warrants were executed across Bankstown, Prestons, Casula, Lurnea, Rydalmere, Greenacre, Strathfield, Chester Hill, Punchbowl and Goulburn.

Police alleged they all subscribed to a “religiously motivated violent extremist ideology”.

“A number of items were seized as a result of yesterday’s activity, including a significant amount of electronic material,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Two males, aged 17 and 14, were charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.

“Two males, both aged 16, were charged with conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.

“A male, aged 17, was charged with conspiring to engage in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act and custody of a knife in a public place.”

The NSW Joint Counter-Terrorism Team executed 13 search warrents acorss Sydney.

All five were refused bail and were due to face a children’s court today.

The 16-year-old who allegedly stabbed Bishop Emmanuel has been charged and is still before the courts.

More than 400 officers have been involved in the joint operation across the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and NSW Crime Commission.