A third man has been charged over a riot in Sydney’s western suburbs, where thousands of people clashed with police following the alleged stabbing of Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
Bishop Emmanuel was giving a live-streamed service at a church in Wakeley on Monday night when he was allegedly stabbed by a 16-year-old boy.
Police arrived to arrest the teenager, who has since been charged with a terrorism offence, but were confronted by a large group gathered outside the church.
More than 50 police officers were injured during the riot outside Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, leading to Strike Force Dribs being set up to investigate the violence.
As part of the investigation, a 28-year-old man was arrested in Horningsea Park at 7.20am on Saturday and taken to Fairfield Police Station.
A third man has been charged over a riot (pictured) in Sydney’s western suburbs, where thousands of people clashed with police following the alleged stabbing of Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
He was charged with threatening violence to cause fear and has been refused bail.
He will appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.
Also appearing before the same court on Saturday was electrician Sam Haddad, 45, who had been arrested at his home in Sydney’s west on Friday and charged with disorderly conduct and affray.
The court was told he did not take part in Monday’s violence but had shouted threats at the alleged attacker who was still inside the church at the time.
“As the police held the line… the defendant shouted, ‘He’s f***ing dead. He won’t get out of here alive. I’m going to jail tonight. He’s dead tonight. I’m going to jail tonight. ******Muslim dog,” the police prosecutor told the court.
Haddad was granted bail, despite objections from the police, the Daily Telegraph reported.
As the prosecutor spoke, saying he risked repeating his alleged behavior, Haddad interrupted him to say, “I’m not going to do that… most of that is false… I have a family to take care of.”
Acting Magistrate Janet Wahlquist told the court that the police case indicated Haddad did not engage in violent behavior.
She ordered him to report to Fairfield police station once a week while on bail.
The first person charged for the riots was Dani Mansour, 19, who was charged with rioting, affray and destruction or damage to property during public disorder.
He appeared at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday and was granted strict bail.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said they were searching for at least 50 people believed to have taken part in the riot.
In the video of the melee, the alleged attacker is heard saying in Arabic: “If he had not insulted my Prophet, I would not be here.” If he didn’t get involved in my religion I wouldn’t be here.’
“Several people dressed up that night and we need to know who they are,” he said Thursday.
‘People in the community know who they are, their families know who they are and we need to know who they are.
‘We will continue to investigate this for as long as it takes to identify them. The best thing the community can do is call Crime Stoppers to let us know who they are.
“The sooner they are identified and brought to court, the sooner they can be dealt with.”