Alleged Burgertory arsonist refused bail in Melbourne court

One of the men accused of firebombing the Caulfield Burgertory store in November last year has faced court.

The fire caused more than $450,000 in damage.

One of the men charged with torching the Caulfield Burgertory restaurant has been refused bail.

Wayle Mana, 24, was charged with seven offences, including arson, robbery and theft of motor vehicle.

Mr Mana appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates court on Tuesday and was refused bail.

According to charge sheets, Mana along with his co-accused Habib Musa, 27, allegedly torched the Burgertory restaurant on November 10 2023, causing $450,000 worth of damage.

Popular burger restaurant Burgertory, located on Glen Huntly Rd, Caulfield, was gutted by fire. Picture: Supplied

The Burgertory fire sparked volatile protests against the backdrop of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The Caulfield restaurant was torched just hours before a violent clash at nearby Princes Park, when a Caulfield synagogue was evacuated as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters stormed the area.

Mr Mana is alleged to have also torched a Bendigo tobacco store on January 29, causing more than $4m worth of damage.

He is also accused on November 10 of stealing a Mercedes sedan in Doncaster and committing an unlawful assault in the same suburb.

Mr Mana and Mr Musa will return to court for a committal mention on May 30.

The court appearance comes as arsonists have once again targeted the Burgertory restaurant owner and Palestinian activist Hash Tayeh.

Burgertory owner Hash Tayeh has allegedly been targeted by arsonists twice. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A molotov cocktail was allegedly thrown at his family home in Lower Templestowe early on Friday morning while his family were asleep inside.

Mr Tayeh had delivered a public address at a pro-Palestine rally the previous day.

“On Thursday after our Flinders Street rally, in the dead of night, while my family and I slept, our home became the target of terror,” Mr Tayeh wrote on Instagram.

“A firebomb, a weapon of hate, threatened the safety of my innocent two-year-old son, burning directly beneath his bedroom.

“Where was the protection we deserved? While police flood peaceful protests and guard corporate giants like McDonald’s and Starbucks from stickers, where were they when our sanctuary was under attack?

“I refuse to be silenced by fear, I demand justice.”

No charges have been laid over the attack.