Habib Musa fronts court over Burgertory blaze in Caulfield
One of two men charged with torching a Caulfield burger joint that sparked volatile protests in Caulfield amid claims of a hate crime has pleaded to the charges.
South East
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The second man charged with torching the Burgertory restaurant in Caulfield that sparked unfounded claims of a hate crime as well as violent protests has pleaded guilty.
Habib Musa, 27, of St Albans, fronted the County Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to the arson of the Burgertory restaurant in Caulfield on November 10, 2023 and another charge of stealing a Mercedes at Doncaster on the same day.
Judge Carolene Gwynn was disappointed at the prosecution for the late filing of the relevant documents which meant the plea hearing could not proceed.
The judge said she didn’t even have the prosecution summary of the offences before the plea hearing was adjourned to March 17.
The arson attack caused $450,000 worth of damage and sparked volatile protests against the backdrop of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Burgertory owner and Palestinian-Australian man Hash Tayeh claimed the fire at his store was a hate crime, despite police saying otherwise.
A second person, Wayle Musa, of Preston is also allegedly involved in the arson and his case is still before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
