Nikolaj Mikic charged with riot, attempted aggravated break and enter after Wakeley church stabbing

A fourth accused rioter who police allege grabbed a ladder to break into a church after the Assyrian Orthodox Bishop was stabbed during a live-streamed service has been granted bail.

Nikolaj Mikic leaves Fairfield police station after being granted bail. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

A fourth accused rioter who police allege grabbed a ladder to break into a church after the Assyrian Orthodox Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed during a live-streamed service has been granted bail.

Nikolaj Mikic, 23, was charged with riot and attempted aggravated break and enter with intent knowing a person there after he allegedly joined a riot of about 2000 people at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on April 15.

The airconditioning company owner appeared at Fairfield Court on Tuesday via video link from Fairfield police station wearing a black zip-up hoodie and black pants as his parents and siblings gathered in the courtroom.

In court, Mikic’s lawyer argued while “you can’t ascribe everything on that night to my client, his alleged conduct was serious”.

When asked by Magistrate Anthony Spence why Mikic attempted to use a ladder with an unknown individual to break into the church, his lawyer said the alleged stabbing was an “extraordinary event”.

Nikolaj Mikic masked most of his face. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

A police car was vandalised during the riots. Picture: TNV

“It’s too early to comment on that but I think some people went there with the best intentions… I think that is what it has been described as, inflamed passions. The stabbing of the bishop was an extraordinary event...” his lawyer said.

He said the night was a “very unusual event in this country” and the risk of his client engaging in a similar incident was “very remote” as he was not accused of injuring police officers or vehicles.

“People attended with best intentions and it got out of hand,” he argued.

Mikic was arrested on Monday afternoon after he turned himself into Fairfield police station as police scoured through 600 hours of phone and bodycam footage in search for 50 rioters who attacked police following the stabbing of the 53-year-old religious leader.

Several attendees, including Father Isaac Royel – a senior parish priest who was ordained in 2016 – were also injured inside the church on the night as paramedics were forced to hide inside the building and where 51 police were injured.

Mikic is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court in June. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

The prosecution opposed Mikic’s release on bail because the 23-year-old “incited violence” when he was allegedly caught on CCTV grabbing a ladder to break into the church which was in lockdown for three hours.

“Police say this was an attempt to gain entry into the church because of the anger that was raised in regards to the attack on the bishop inside the church,” prosecutor Jacky Lozanoska said.

“Whilst it is not excusable what happened to bishop Emmanuel the community cannot be seen as condoning or accepting for people to riot or become violent and take law into their own hands.’’

Sgt Lozanoska said if Mikic was released on bail he would “have an opportunity to further cause or incite unrest in the community”.

Around 2000 people congregated at Christ The Good Shepherd Church where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed multiple times. Photo: TNV

“The revolt shown by people who engaged in the riot … might still be brewing in the community and it might put other communities at risk and that’s the assumption that is made,” she said.

Police labelled the attack on the bishop as a terrorist event and an investigation will be led by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.

Mikic’s lawyer argued his client was a business owner with no prior criminal convictions and had no prior run-ins with police.

Mr Spence said the actions on the Monday night were “absolutely appalling” and “anybody who perpetrated violence to police or police vehicles or anybody should be refused bail”.

“We all saw that riot … it was disgraceful,’’ he said.

Blurred footage of the teenager who allegedly stabbed the Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a service at The Good Shepard Church in Sydney. Picture: Twitter

“We’ve seen a lot of violence perpetrated against police and they were there to keep the peace.”

“But this accused … is not charged with any violence to the police.”

Mr Spence granted Mikic bail and said “it was a pity” he was involved on the night as he had strong community ties, no criminal record and the support of his family who offered a $10,000 surety for his release.

Mikic was granted bail on strict conditions including not attending the Christ the Good Shepherd Church, reporting to St Marys police station three times a week, a daily curfew 9pm to 5am and only using one mobile phone.

Mikic’s matter will reappear at Parramatta Local Court on June 20.

Three other men – aged between 16 to 45 – have been charged and remain before the courts.