MELBOURNE — Australian police on Friday charged a third suspect over an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, in a case authorities say was orchestrated by Iran.
Investigators allege the 20-year-old was one of three masked men who forced their way into the Adass Israel Synagogue in the early hours of Dec. 6, 2024, poured flammable liquid inside and then set the building on fire.
The blaze left the synagogue heavily damaged, and one worshipper suffered minor injuries.
The charge was laid by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, a unit that combines federal and state police resources with support from Australia’s domestic intelligence agency. Authorities said the man faces several allegations, including arson.
Police said he was formally charged while already in custody at a Melbourne prison on separate matters. Officials did not provide further details about those unrelated allegations.
The other two accused men have already been identified by police: 21-year-old Giovanni Laulu, who was arrested in July last year, and 20-year-old Younes Ali Younes, who was taken into custody a month later.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing the synagogue fire and an arson attack two months earlier at a Sydney kosher eatery, Lewis’ Continental Kitchen.
Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the nation’s main domestic spy agency, said the Revolutionary Guard used a “complex web of proxies to hide its involvement” in both antisemitic attacks.
Iran’s ambassador to Australia and another three Iranian diplomats were expelled. Tehran has denied Australia’s allegations.
Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier told reporters on Friday that investigators were working with international partners in the continuing investigation.
Police were also investigating whether the three alleged arsonists knew who ordered the attack.
“They may not actually be aware of the people who are directing or the principals of these investigations. That remains a key line of inquiry for us,” Crozier said.
Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul O’Halloran said police had informed the local Jewish community of the third arrest before the news was made public.
“Our heart goes out to them. Again, this brings back this terrible incident,” O’Halloran said.
“People deserve the right to feel safe and be safe in their community and particularly at their place of worship. Today’s charges are a strong testament to this,” he added.
The latest suspect will make his first court appearance on the new charges next week.
The Australian government has established a public inquiry to investigate a rise in antisemitism across the country, including the killing of 15 people when two gunmen opened fire on a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December.
