A Meadow Heights man has been charged over the alleged arson attack at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in December last year.
The 20-year-old was charged by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) on Thursday, August 21, with arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle. He remains in custody and is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 27.
Police allege he was one of three men who broke into the synagogue on December 6, 2024, before deliberately setting it on fire. The charges follow a search warrant executed at a Meadow Heights home last week, where electronic devices and other items were seized for forensic examination.
The latest arrest is the second in recent weeks. On July 30, a Werribee man, 21, was also charged over his alleged involvement, while in July last year, a Melton South man was charged with allegedly stealing the vehicle used in the attack. Police believe the same blue Volkswagen Golf was also used in the LUX Nightclub arson attack in November 2024.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Tess Walsh said the investigation was progressing and warned further arrests were likely.
“There is no place for this type of offending in our state, and we will be relentless in pursuing those who are prepared to engage in these acts of violence,” she said.
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Nick Read said the JCTT remained “laser focused” on holding those responsible to account.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
