Third man charged over violent riot following alleged Wakeley stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel

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 conducting a livestream service at a church in Wakeley on Monday evening 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 clashed with a large group gathered outside the church.

More than fifty 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.

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 in the same court on Saturday was 45-year-old electrician Sam Haddad, who was arrested at his western Sydney home on Friday and charged with affray and affray.

The court was told he did not take part in the violence on Monday but had shouted threats at the alleged attacker who was still in the church at the time.

“While the police were on the phone… the suspect shouted, ‘He’s fucking dead. He’s not leaving here alive. I’m going to jail tonight. He’s dead tonight. I’m going to jail tonight. ****** Muslim dog,” the prosecutor told the court.

Haddad was released on bail despite police objections Daily telegram reported.

As the accuser said he was at risk of repeating his alleged behavior, Haddad interrupted and said, “I won’t do that… most of it isn’t true… I have a family to take care of.”

Acting Magistrate Janet Wahlquist told the court the police case stated Haddad had not engaged in violent conduct.

She ordered him to report to Fairfield police station once a week while on bail.

The first person charged over the riot was Dani Mansour. 19, who was charged with rioting, affray and destroying or damaging property during public disorder.

He faced Blacktown Local Court on Thursday and was given strict conditional bail.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said they were looking for at least 50 people believed to have taken part in the riots.

In a video of the fight, the alleged attacker is heard saying in Arabic: “If he had not sworn against my prophet, I would not be here.” If he didn’t interfere with my religion, I wouldn’t be here.”

“A number of people disguised themselves that night and we need to know who they are,” she 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 and let us know who they are.

“The sooner they are identified and brought to justice, the sooner they can be dealt with.”