Five individuals charged following riot at Australian church after bishop is stabbed

Police have charged at least five people for their involvement in a violent protest that broke out at a church in Wakeley, Australia, after the stabbing of an Assyrian bishop while he was preaching a sermon.

Last Monday, following the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of Wakeley’s Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd Church, thousands of demonstrators lined the front way of the church to protest the violent incident.

The demonstration, which turned violent against the police and their emergency vehicles, has led police to search for anyone who engaged in any form of violence against the police’s safety force and for those who engaged in other related crimes at the protest.

After investigators released images of 12 different men whom they believe were involved in the riot, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that 23-year-old Nikolaj Mikic turned himself in at the Fairfield Police Station this week. He is the fourth man charged with riot-related crimes. He made a court appearance via videolink as he was charged with rioting and attempted aggravated break and enter with intent.

“If convicted, Mikic would face up to 15 years in jail. He was granted bail under conditions that he would have to report to the police three times per week, abide by a curfew, and can’t participate in any events or services held at Christ The Good Shepherd Church. His family posted a $10,000 security.”

The 16-year-old boy, who allegedly stabbed 53-year-old bishop Emmanuel, has been charged with a terrorism offense. The boy’s identity has not been released.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested seven teenagers accused of being part of an extremist network that also included the 16-year-old teen charged in the church stabbing, according to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, five other teens were still being questioned by the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team as of late Wednesday.