A boy was arrested on the spot after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked during a church service in Sydney.
A 16-year-old Australian boy has been charged with “competing an act of terrorism” after the bishop of an Assyrian church in Sydney's west was stabbed to death during a live-streamed service, police said.
The teenage suspect was taken to hospital after the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emanuel and was arraigned in the Children's Court on Friday morning.
Australian public broadcaster ABC said he did not appear in court and his lawyer did not seek bail.
Police charged the boy after searching his home for electronic devices and questioning him in his hospital bed. He could face life in prison if convicted.
Defense solicitor Greg Scruggs told the court that arrangements were being made for a forensic psychologist to visit the boy in hospital to “assess his treatment and health status”.
He added that the boy had a “long history of behavior consistent with suffering from a mental illness, mental condition or mental disorder,” the ABC reported.
Police said the suspect took about 90 minutes to arrive at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydney's western suburbs, where he stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel about six times.
The attack sparked a riot, with angry followers of the bishop demanding the handing over of the alleged attackers.
Having arrested the boy on the spot, police were forced to detain him at the church for his own safety.
The crowd continued to clash with police for more than three hours. More than 50 police officers were injured and 20 police cars were damaged.
The investigation into the riot continues.
Bishop Emanuel, 53, has a popular youth following on TikTok and has been the target of criticism, hate and online trolls. His sermons range from sermons on the Bible to fierce criticism of homosexuality, COVID-19 vaccinations, Islam and the election of US President Joe Biden.
He said in an audio message on social media Thursday that he has forgiven his attacker and is rapidly recovering.
