Counter-terrorism police arrested seven alleged members of a religiously motivated violent extremist group on Wednesday following a teen's alleged terror-inspired stabbing of a bishop in Wakeley in Sydney's west.
The teenagers aged 15 to 17 had been closely monitored by counter-terrorism police after a 16-year-old boy launched the stabbing attack on Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and priest Isaac Royel during a live-streamed church service on April 15.
Another five people were assisting police with their inquiries.
The police raids and arrests involved more than 400 officers. (Nsw Police/AAP PHOTOS)
More than 400 police officers executed 13 search warrants across Sydney on Wednesday after authorities deemed the loosely connected group posed an "unacceptable risk and threat to the people of NSW", Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said.
"The execution of those warrants is continuing," he said.
"I can assure the community there is no ongoing threat to the community and the action we have taken (on Wednesday) has mitigated any risk of future or further harm."
Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett stressed the arrests on Wednesday and any further arrests are "not linked to Anzac Day commemorations or any religious holiday".Â
"There is no immediate danger to the community," she said.
No specific targets had been nominated but the ongoing threat and loose nature of the group including some splinter groups, alarmed authorities, NSW police said.
The alleged stabber has been charged with committing a terrorist act, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
His lawyer told a court on Friday the accused had received intermittent treatment for mental health issues for some years.
Several people have also been arrested and charged over riots that broke out outside the church following the stabbing.
