Australian Police Arrest Seven Teen Extremists Linked to Sydney Church Stabbing

Australian police have arrested seven teenagers in Sydney accused of following a violent extremist ideology, with one of them allegedly involved in the stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church. The arrests came as part of a major operation involving more than 400 police officers. The Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes federal and state police, along with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the New South Wales Crime Commission, conducted raids across southwest Sydney.

According to New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson, the individuals adhered to a religiously motivated, violent extremist ideology, posing an unacceptable risk and threat to the people of New South Wales. While there was no evidence of specific targets or timing for a violent act, the suspects were considered an immediate threat. The operation was not linked to Anzac Day, and no specific targets were identified.