Man who allegedly used a ladder to try and break into Wakeley church after stabbing of bishop is charged

→ Оригинал (без защиты от корпорастов)

A man and a teenage boy have been charged over violent riots outside a church in Sydney's south-west last week , with the former being granted bail after his first court appearance.

Fairfield Local Court heard Nikolaj Mikic, 23, turned himself into the Fairfield Police Station on Monday, after investigators released images of 12 men they believed were involved in a riot at the Assyrian orthodox Christ The Good Shepherd Church on April 15.

Mr Mikic appeared in court via videolink, charged with rioting and attempted aggravated break and enter with intent.

"The defendant's [alleged] participation is where he is seen on CCTV, he grabs a ladder and embarks with another unknown person to break into the church, which police say was an attempt to gain entry into the church, because of the anger that was raised in regards to the attack on the bishop," Sergeant Jacky Lozanoska told the court.

Magistrate Anthony Spence said the prosecution case was "very strong" and described the scenes outside the Christ The Good Shepherd Church as "appalling".

"We all saw that riot occurring and it was disgraceful," Magistrate Spence said.

"A lot of violence against police and police cars… we all saw that on television, the ladder… and he's accused of being a part of that."

The court heard Mr Mikic was not charged with any offences directly related to causing physical harm to a police officer, or damage to a police vehicle.

His defence lawyer argued the livestream of the alleged terror attack amid Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel's sermon "flamed passions" of those in the community.

"[It] was an extraordinary event… A lot of people attended with the best of intentions and then it got out of hand," he said.

The court heard Mr Mikic and another person allegedly used a ladder to try and break into the church after the stabbing.(ABC News: Melissa Mackay)

The court heard Mr Mikic had no criminal history, lived at home with his parents and owned a successful air-conditioning business.

"He's so young, never been in custody before… [and] even if he were convicted, while certainly on the cards, it's not inevitable," his defence lawyer said.

The court heard the charges Mr Mikic faces have maximum penalties of up to 15 years in jail.

Prosecutors raised concerns about tensions still "brewing in the community" a week on from the alleged events, urging the court not to grant bail.

"[The alleged terror attack] is a heinous crime… unprovoked… it was open for everybody to see," Sergeant Lozanoska said.

"However, we can't be seen to be condoning or accepting vigilante work."

Magistrate Spence said he was "constrained by the law" and granted Mr Mikic bail on strict conditions.

Mr Mikic will have to abide by a 9pm curfew, report to police three times a week, not access any social media, not contact any witnesses nor attend the Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

His family has also had to put a $10,000 security.

Teenage boy becomes fifth person charged

A 17-year-old boy is the latest to be charged over the riot after he turned himself into to Fairfield Police Station on Tuesday morning.

He was arrested and charged with riot, destroy or damage property and possession of an unauthorised pistol.

The teen has been refused bail and is expected to appear in a children's court on Wednesday.

He is the fifth person to be charged over the riot after Mr Mikic, Issa Haddad, 28, Dani Mansour, 19, and Sam Haddad, 45. The four men were earlier granted bail.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, has been charged with a terrorism offence after allegedly attacking 53-year-old bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during his sermon.

Police are still working to identify nine alleged offenders they want to speak to "due to the violent and aggressive nature of their actions".

"We are doing everything we can to identify these men and are now appealing for public assistance," Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said in a statement on Monday.

"Someone in the community knows who they are."

Police said several other people identified in the images have since come forward and been excluded from the investigation.

Posted 23 Apr 202423 Apr 2024Tue 23 Apr 2024 at 6:04am, updated 23 Apr 202423 Apr 2024Tue 23 Apr 2024 at 8:19am