Webb takes questions on whether alleged offender had fingers cut off
Circling back to the press conference early this morning with the NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb.
Webb was repeatedly asked about rumours the alleged teenage offender’s fingers were cut off during the incident.
Webb said “it’s really too early to say” and added:
That’s not clear yet whether it’s self-inflicted or through the melee that occurred, or some other way. And I understand that it’s possibly a flick knife. But that’s to be confirmed as well.
Q: You don’t know whether the crowd in their anger cut off his fingers, or his own flick of the knife caused injury:
Webb:
It will be through statements from witnesses and victims that we’ll determine that … The victims are in surgery. The [alleged] offender has been into the surgery. It’s too early to say. We’ll provide more information when it’s available.
She said “no one is trying to be coy about this information” and it would be presented to the public when appropriate.
Karen Webb at this morning’s media conference. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Earlier, we reported that faith leaders had backed a joint call for unity after last night’s stabbing incident in western Sydney.
Here is the full statement from NSW faith leaders, authorised by Dr Rateb Jneid – president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils – and sheikh Riad El-Rifai, from the National Grand Mufti of Australia.
We represent community leaders from our communities.
We are united in calling for calm in response to the events at Wakeley [yesterday] evening.
We reject violence in all its forms.
We are calling on our communities to extend our message of care and compassion to all.
We have trust in our first responders and confidence in their work.
We’re calling on everyone to act with kindness and respect for each other.
Now is the time to show that we are strong and united as a NSW community.
Queensland premier offers condolences to people affected by two Sydney stabbing incidents
The Queensland premier, Steven Miles, has offered his “deepest condolences” and “best wishes” to those affected by the two stabbing incidents in Sydney.
Miles said in response to the incident in Bondi, Queensland had stepped up its police presence at shopping centres with additional patrols and business walkthroughs:
I have reached out to [NSW premier Chris] Minns and expressed on behalf of Queenslanders our deepest condolences for what those families are experiencing and indeed the impacts it will have on first responders, and the wider New South Wales community.
I expressed to him that we stand ready to provide whatever assistance we could as they move to progress their investigations.
Miles said Australia’s “greatest asset is our strength and resilience”:
The nation has come together to support each other. Hand in hand, we will get through this.
Queensland premier Steven Miles. Photograph: Darren England/AAP
Translation of video taken during alleged stabbing incident
Mostafa Rachwani
In a video shared via private WhatsApp groups, the alleged attacker is seen being held on the ground inside the church, surrounded by people.
Amid the chaos, the alleged attacker can be heard speaking. He allegedly says in Arabic:
If he [the bishop] didn’t get himself involved in my religion, if he hadn’t spoken about my Prophet, I wouldn’t have come here.
If he just spoke about his own religion, I wouldn’t have come.
The video reportedly shows the mayhem that followed the attack, with people in bloodied clothes walking around as the alleged attacker is held against the ground.
It is unclear who was holding him down and why, or if there were any authorities present at the time.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, who has a popular online presence, has previously criticised Islam and the Prophet Muhammad in public sermons.
Someone has asked Asio boss Mike Burgess about a video circulating of the alleged offender speaking in Arabic. Is there something the bishop may have said that could have brought this attack on?
Burgess: “We’re aware of that line of inquiry.”
We will have more on the video in just a moment.
*A previous version of this post incorrectly attributed this quote to Albanese.
PM says he remains concerned over role of social media
Taking a question on the role of social media, Anthony Albanese said he had spoken with the communications minister, Michelle Rowland, about his concerns and says Rowland “has acted this morning, as has the eSafety commissioner”.
We remain concerned about the role of social media, including the publication of videos that can be very harmful, particularly for younger people who have access. Anyone with a phone essentially can do that …
We continue to work with the eSafety commissioner and to use what powers are at our disposal to demand that material be taken down. I know the AFP commissioner and the security agencies are engaged in that as well. We’ll continue to monitor it.
Asio head says Wakeley incident ‘does appear to be religiously motivated’
Asio boss Mike Burgess was next to speak and said Asio’s role in the investigation is to support NSW police:
It does appear to be religiously motivated but we continue our lines of investigation.
Burgess said Asio would “look at individuals connected with the attacker to assure ourselves there’s no one else in the community with similar intent”:
At this stage, we have no indications of that. But it’s prudent that we do this to determine there’s no threats or immediate threats to security. At this time, we’re not seeing that.
AFP commissioner says counter-terror team will investigate incident ‘from all angles’
Australian federal police commissioner, Reece Kershaw, said the AFP, Asio and NSW police would continue to investigate how the alleged stabbing occurred and the individual who was allegedly involved.
This attack will have a significant impact on the Australian community, and I would like to reassure the Australian community that the AFP, together with its law enforcement partners, particularly under the joint counter-terrorism team, is working to investigate this incident from all angles.
As this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to discuss further details and we urge anyone with information to contact New South Wales police. All Australians should remain vigilant and I urge people who see or hear something that they feel is not right to contact the national security hotline immediately on 1800 123 400.
