Seven young people arrested in counterterrorism raids in the wake of stabbing at Sydney Assyrian Orthodox church. Photo: DAVID GRAY / AFP
By Sarah Gerathy, Jesse Hyland, and Holly Tregenza, ABC
Seven young people have been arrested and a further five are being questioned by police after a series of raids in south-west Sydney by the joint counterterrorism team (JCTT).
The raids were a response to the ongoing investigation into last week's stabbing attack at an Assyrian Orthodox church in city's south west.
There have been 13 raids carried out by 400 police.
They were conducted at properties in Bankstown, Prestons, Casula, Lurnea, Rydalmere, Greenacre, Strathfield, Chester Hill, and Punchbowl, as well as a premises in Goulburn.
The JCTT is made up of members of NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the NSW Crime Commission.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigations have revealed a "network" of people who share a "similar violent extremist ideology".
She described the people who have been arrested as "juveniles" and said the suspects are all known to each other.
Police said they have not identified any specific plan to commit an act of violence.
"At this time we have no evidence of specific locations, times or targets of a violent act," Barrett said.
"The JCTT has acted swiftly to disrupt these individuals, and the investigation remains ongoing."
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said there will be more raids as part of the ongoing investigation.
"A number of associates were identified that we believe warranted further police attention and investigation," he said.
"These investigations have been progressing since the incident."
No threat to public safety
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said ASIO was involved in the operation as it was part of the JCTT.
"My officers are connected and involved and embedded inside the joint counter-terrorism team," he said after a National Press Club address.
NSW Police said there was no current threat to public safety and no link to Anzac Day commemorations.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the counterterrorism "activity" was connected to the ongoing investigation into the Wakeley incident.
"I wanted to take this opportunity to salute the courage of the people involved, and to thank them for their professionalism as well," he said.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence over the alleged stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a service at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley last Monday night.
Churchgoers held down the boy until he was later arrested by police.
Bishop Emmanuel sustained lacerations to his head and Father Isaac Royel was also injured in the attack, which took place during a service that was broadcast live online.
A riot broke out outside the church after hundreds of people gathered outside after the stabbing and NSW Police said more than 50 officers in attendance were injured.
Five people, including four men and a 17-year-old boy, allegedly involved in the subsequent unrest have been charged by police.
Police have released images of nine other men they want to speak to as part of their investigation.
- This story was first published by the ABC
