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| AFP investigating ‘criminals offshore’ as arrest made over Melbourne synagogue arson attack | AFP investigating ‘criminals offshore’ as arrest made over Melbourne synagogue arson attack |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Police say arrest a ‘significant step forward’ in investigation into December 2024 fire at Adass Israel Synagogue | Police say arrest a ‘significant step forward’ in investigation into December 2024 fire at Adass Israel Synagogue |
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| A young man has been arrested, accused of playing a direct role in the “politically motivated” arson attack on a synagogue. | A young man has been arrested, accused of playing a direct role in the “politically motivated” arson attack on a synagogue. |
| Counter-terrorism police allege the 21-year-old man is one of three people responsible for the attack at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue. | Counter-terrorism police allege the 21-year-old man is one of three people responsible for the attack at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue. |
| The Australian federal police deputy commissioner for national security, Krissy Barrett, told a press conference on Wednesday: “Our investigation is not limited to Australia. | |
| “It involves exploring criminals offshore. | |
| “And we suspect these criminals worked with criminals in Victoria to carry out the arson attack.” | |
| Barrett said the motivation for the attack was still being assessed and that the AFP was “working closely” with Five Eyes and international partners on the investigation. | |
| She thanked Australia’s Jewish community, especially the Adass Israel Synagogue community, for their “stoicism, patience and support”. | She thanked Australia’s Jewish community, especially the Adass Israel Synagogue community, for their “stoicism, patience and support”. |
| There has been mounting pressure for police to make further arrests over the December 2024 fire, which destroyed two of the synagogue’s three buildings. | There has been mounting pressure for police to make further arrests over the December 2024 fire, which destroyed two of the synagogue’s three buildings. |
| Police expect further arrests and additional charges are anticipated. | Police expect further arrests and additional charges are anticipated. |
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| Two congregants who were preparing for morning prayers escaped the blaze, with one suffering minor injuries. | Two congregants who were preparing for morning prayers escaped the blaze, with one suffering minor injuries. |
| Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police in May showed three people in hoodies and masks getting out of a car before using an axe to damage the entrance of the building. | Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police in May showed three people in hoodies and masks getting out of a car before using an axe to damage the entrance of the building. |
| Detectives arrested a 20-year-old man in July over his alleged role in stealing a car linked to several high-profile incidents, including the synagogue firebombing. | Detectives arrested a 20-year-old man in July over his alleged role in stealing a car linked to several high-profile incidents, including the synagogue firebombing. |
| The man is next due to face court in October after being charged with car theft and failing to provide access to applications on his phone. | The man is next due to face court in October after being charged with car theft and failing to provide access to applications on his phone. |
| The stolen car was used in other offences, including the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra in November, as well as an arson and shooting at Bundoora. | The stolen car was used in other offences, including the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra in November, as well as an arson and shooting at Bundoora. |
| Police executed seven search warrants across Melbourne on Wednesday, seizing various items including electronic devices which will be forensically examined. | Police executed seven search warrants across Melbourne on Wednesday, seizing various items including electronic devices which will be forensically examined. |
| An AFP member was attacked by an unrestrained dog at the Weir Views home, the AFP said, resulting in a police firearm being discharged. The dog was later euthanised and police said the member was being treated for serious bite injuries in hospital. | |
| Barrett confirmed in the statement that Victoria’s counter-terrorism team (JCTT) “continues to investigate the arson attack as a politically motivated crime”. | |
| Victoria police deputy commissioner Wendy Steendam said the arrest marked a “significant step forward” in the investigation. | |
| “Today’s arrest is a demonstration of our ongoing efforts to hold those involved to account,” she said. | “Today’s arrest is a demonstration of our ongoing efforts to hold those involved to account,” she said. |
| “We now have charged two people as part of this investigation and I expect there will be more to come.” | “We now have charged two people as part of this investigation and I expect there will be more to come.” |
| Police said they would interview the 21-year-old man in relation to several offences, including arson. | Police said they would interview the 21-year-old man in relation to several offences, including arson. |