Man accused of firebomb attempt allegedly painted Swastikas

One of the two men who is accused of attempting to firebomb a Newtown synagogue allegedly spray-painted Nazi symbols on the religious site.

NSW Police arrest a second man over an alleged attempt to set a Newtown synagogue alight on January 11, 2025. Picture: NSW Police

The second man accused of attempting to firebomb a Newtown synagogue also allegedly spray-painted 10 red swastikas on the religious site.

Leon Sofilas will remain in custody following his arrest on Thursday, having not been required to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.

The 37-year-old has been charged with destroying or damaging property in company, destroying property in company using fire, and knowingly displaying by public act Nazi symbol without excuse.

Court documents state Sofilas allegedly damaged property using graffiti and fire between 4.27am and 4.29am on January 11.

Detectives from Strike Force Pearl, set up to investigate hate crimes with an anti-Semitic focus across Sydney, arrested Sofilas at a hotel in Darling Harbour about 1pm on Thursday.

He was Tasered and taken to hospital before being charged the following day.

Sofilas is due back in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.

He is the second to be charged over the incident, with 33-year-old Adam Moule also behind bars on remand after being charged with destroying property in company using fire, destroying or damage property in company, possessing suspected stolen goods, and cultivating a prohibited plant.

Sofilas was arrested on the same day police announced forces across the country would come together to share information and intelligence, with a “dedicated anti-Semitism group”, consisting of a deputy commissioner from each Australian jurisdiction, set to meet in a bid “to reduce crime and the fear of crime”.

Originally published as Man accused of firebomb attempt allegedly painted Swastikas