More than a year and a half after worshipers fled for their lives from a burning synagogue, Australian police announced on Friday the indictment of a third suspect in the arson case at the East Melbourne synagogue.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other Australian officials have claimed the attack was one of two incidents carried out at Iran’s behest, leading to the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador from Australia and the closure of Australia’s embassy in Tehran. However, the charges remain purely criminal, with terrorism and antisemitism not included as direct counts against the young suspect. His name has not been officially released.
A joint counterterrorism team from the Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the intelligence service filed charges against the 20-year-old local man. He is accused of arson, causing damage, reckless endangerment of human life, and vehicle theft, offenses carrying a combined potential sentence of decades in prison: up to 15 years for arson and up to 10 years for each of the additional charges.
According to the indictment, the suspect is one of three perpetrators who broke into the synagogue on December 6, 2024, poured flammable material inside, and set the building on fire while dozens of worshipers were inside. No injuries were reported, but the damage was extensive.
With the new indictment, all three direct participants in the arson have now been charged. Another individual is also accused of stealing the vehicle used in the attack.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier said: “Today we can confirm that we have identified and charged all those we allege broke into the synagogue and carried out this appalling attack. The fear and genuine unease this crime created in our community should not be underestimated.”
Acting Victoria Police Commissioner Paul O’Halloran stressed that “identifying those involved in antisemitic attacks in any form remains a top priority. Even after more than 18 months, we remain focused on bringing to justice all those who harm our community.”
Witnesses may have lied to obstruct synagogue arson investigation
Authorities continue to call on the public to provide additional information and have suggested that some witnesses may have lied during the investigation in order to obstruct it.
The case has sparked significant outrage within the Jewish community in Australia and abroad, and has been viewed as part of a broader wave of antisemitism that has intensified since the outbreak of the war.
Some members of Australia’s Jewish community have complained that the investigation is moving too slowly and that Australia is not treating the surge in antisemitism, including additional incidents in Melbourne, with sufficient seriousness. They have also criticized the softening of charges, noting that they remain “criminal” rather than terrorism-related.