SYDNEY (AP) — A 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics during a Sydney church service has been charged by police with terrorism offenses. Authorities said the stabbing was declared a terrorist act because of the teenager’s suspected religious motivation and that the boy traveled up to 90 minutes from his home to the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Sydney’s western suburbs. The teen spoke in Arabic about the Prophet Muhammad being insulted after he stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Rev. Isaac Royel during Monday night’s Assyrian Orthodox service. He was later overpowered by parishioners, sustaining severe hand injuries. “Yesterday investigators attended a medical facility to interview the alleged offender where he was charged with committing a terrorist act,” said Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw at a press conference Friday in Sydney. The offense carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life. |
Feature: Smart atChina to Issue Commemorative Coins on Auspicious CultureChina Focus: Digitalization Helps More People in China Discover Joy of Reading'Drifters' Bring New Vitality to Ancient Xinjiang CityChina Issues Guideline on Commending Martyrs, Supporting Martyrs' FamiliesChina Reduces Personal Income Tax for Parents of Children under 3Shanghai International Film Festival ready for action this JuneExperts Highlight Tibet's Achievements in Promoting Culture, People's WellIn pics: World Snooker International Championship 2023Victims of China Plane Crash Mourned