Sydney church stabbing: 19-year-old charged with riot over Wakeley unrest

A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with riot, affray and damage to property in connection with the unrest in Wakeley after a bishop was stabbed on Monday night.

NSW Police arrested the man after searching a home in Doonside in Sydney’s west at 5.40pm on Wednesday as investigations continue under Strike Force Dribs. He has been taken to Blacktown police station.

“A 19-year-old man was arrested and taken to Blacktown police station where he was charged with riot, affray and destroy/damage property during public disorder,” NSW police said in a statement on Wednesday night.

He was refused bail and will appear at Blacktown local court on Tursday, the statement added.

The arrest comes after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed during a service at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church, triggering street protests and violence towards police and paramedics.