Giovanni Laulu, aged 21, appeared via video link from Barwon Prison as Magistrate Leon Fluxman announced his ruling in Melbourne on Friday.
According to allegations, Laulu and two accomplices used 100 liters of fuel to ignite the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s southeastern area around 4:15 a.m. on December 6, 2024.
The group is accused of driving a stolen Volkswagen to the Ripponlea location, where they reportedly broke in with an axe and set the synagogue on fire.
The resulting blaze, which inflicted over $20 million in damages, is being treated as a potential terrorist act, the court was informed.
Prosecutor Diana Karamicov argued against granting bail to Laulu, citing him as a significant threat to public safety and a risk of reoffending.
She highlighted his history of disregarding bail conditions and court mandates, as well as his “appalling” criminal record, which includes violent assaults, affrays, and armed robberies.
Karamicov argued the Crown’s case against Laulu was strong and if convicted of the arson charge, he was facing up to 15 years behind bars.
Laulu’s barrister, Dermot Dann KC, argued the strength of the case was not relevant as Laulu did not need to prove exceptional or compelling reasons to be released.
Dann told the court Laulu had repeatedly denied the offending and, given his age, the presumption of innocence and his isolation in custody, he should be released.
The barrister argued strict bail conditions including a curfew and location exclusion zones could alleviate any of the court’s concerns.
Laulu’s mother was also putting forward a $20,000 surety for her son and was willing to have him back home with her if he was released, Dann noted.
In handing down his decision, Fluxman accepted Laulu was a risk to the community but found strict bail conditions could reduce that risk to an acceptable level.
Fluxman accepted his decision was “line-ball” and would receive consternation from the Jewish congregation, who were still traumatised from the fire.
But he noted Laulu was a young man who was presumed to be innocent and it was important to promote his rehabilitation while also curtailing his liberty.
The magistrate also emphasised Laulu had not been charged with terror offences, and there was no evidence he was an anti-Semite or had affiliations with terrorist groups.
Laulu will be subjected to 22 bail conditions, including a 9pm to 6am curfew and a ban on entering Ripponlea or other synagogues.
He will have to return to Melbourne Magistrates Court later in November for a bail review hearing.
