Police are searching devices seized from a man accused of setting fire to a synagogue to find his motive for the alleged attack.
Angelo Loras, 34, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court today after being charged over the alleged firebombing at an East Melbourne synagogue.
The man from NSW kept his gaze low during the brief court session, where he participated through a video link from jail, dressed in a white T-shirt with a beard and long hair.
Police prosecutor Anthony Albore indicated that “it’s certainly possible” as he mentioned that two electronic devices confiscated by officers required examination.
“Particularly if there is evidence obtained form those devices, that may establish a motive to this particular crime,” he said.
“That may take this matter out of this honourable jurisdiction.”
Loras will next face the court on September 12.
The synagogue blaze is among a number of alleged anti-Semitic events in Melbourne lately, which includes a protest at the Israeli eatery Miznon on July 5.
In December, fire tore through Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne’s southeast.
A 20-year-old man was charged with car theft on July 17, which counter-terrorism police alleged was linked to that blaze.
However, no one has been charged with carrying out the Adass firebombing.
