Six teenagers charged after Sydney church stabbing

A sixth teenager has been charged while the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) Sydney is continuing to investigate the alleged stabbing of a religious leader at a church in Wakely, Sydney.

On 24 April, 13 search warrants were carried out across different Sydney suburbs. More than 400 officers were involved.

As part of the operation, seven teenage boys were arrested. Two men and three juvenile males also assisted police with inquiries.

Five teenagers (aged 14-17) were charged that day. Two males, aged 17 and 14, were charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
    
Two males, both aged 16, were charged with conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.

A 17-year old was charged with conspiring to engage in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act and custody of a knife in a public place.

On Friday 26 April, a 15-year-old boy was also charged with conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.

The seventh teenager was released pending further investigation.

The fourteen year old, had appeared before court a fortnight earlier on gun-possession charges and was on conditional bail. According to ABC news, he was charged on 12 April with possession on an unauthorised firearm and possession of an unauthorised pistol. He also faces five more charges related to assault and aggravated robbery.

Parramatta Children's Court heard that violent videos were found on his phone.

The 17-year-old allegedly sent messages saying "we're going to kill" and the children's court heard how he allegedly discussed a plan targeting "non-believers" and was looking for somewhere to hide guns.

The 15-year-old allegedly sent messages to a group chat entitled "Plans". The prosecution argues that the group were conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack. ISIS flags were also allegedly found in his bedroom. The boy was also already on bail following a separate incident on 22 April, where it is alleged he was part of a group, that attacked another person by throwing rocks. It is alleged he had a knife at the time.

Investigations are still continuing.

A 16-year-old has already been charged over the church stabbing.