Police link exiled tobacco kingpin to Adass Israel Synagogue probe
A Dubai-based crime kingpin is being investigated by anti-terror police over the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue.
A Dubai-based crime boss has been linked to the investigation into the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue which has taken a dramatic twist with the arrest of a 21-year-old man.
Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed on Wednesday — just hours after a joint anti-terror taskforce swooped on the Werribee man — that illegal tobacco kingpin Kazem “Kaz” Hamad had been linked to the high-profile probe.
“That is a name that has come up … it remains one of our ongoing lines of inquiry,” deputy commissioner Barrett said
Ms Barrett said the investigation had extended beyond Australia’s borders and involved international law enforcement agencies, including the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
“Our investigation is not limited to Australia. It involves exploring criminals offshore, and we suspect these criminals worked with criminal associates in Victoria to carry out the arson attack,” she said.
“We are working closely with our Five Eyes and international partners to ensure our collective powers and capabilities are drawn upon to help bring those responsible to justice.”
Police are investigating whether the attack was directed or inspired by foreign-based figures and are yet to rule out terrorism charges.
“We have treated this as a politically motivated investigation from the beginning … hence why this was put into the Joint Counter Terrorism Team,” Ms Barrett said. “No offences are off the table.”
Hamad, who was deported from Australia two years ago and is believed to be based in Dubai, has been linked to the botched firebombing attack at a house in Melbourne’s west that killed an innocent young woman.
Police have revealed the exiled tobacco ringleader had ordered the Truganina home be firebombed on January 16 this year. The attack killed Katie Tangey, 27, who was house-sitting her brother’s three-storey townhouse at the time of the explosion.
Hamad is the prime suspect for igniting the tobacco wars that has been linked to at least three murders, numerous shootings and more than 130 firebombings.
Victoria Police and AFP officers arrested the 21-year-old Werribee man over the firebombing of the Ripponlea synagogue — one of the most serious anti-Semitic attacks in Australia since the October 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel — last December early on Wednesday.
Police said the Werribee man would be interviewed in relation to offences of arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a car.
In a statement released on Wednesday, police said the offence of arson carried a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment, and conduct endangering life carried a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail.
“It will be alleged the man is one of three individuals who broke into the Ripponlea synagogue and set the fire. Further arrests and charges are expected soon,” police said.
The joint taskforce executed seven search warrants at Point Cook, Toorak, Airport West, Hadfield, Werribee, Weir Views, and Coburg on Wednesday. Police said electronic devices were seized and would be forensically examined.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion KC said Wednesday’s arrest “brings some long-awaited comfort and reassurance to our community”.
“It is ominous that police are continuing to treat the despicable firebombing of the Adass synagogue as politically motivated,” Mr Aghion said.
“Such attacks are a danger to all Australians. We thank the police for their painstaking efforts to date and hope that further arrests will be made in the near future so that all the offenders, including the masterminds, are swiftly brought to justice. Only then will a deterrent be established against this sort of chilling behaviour.
More than 220 AFP and Victoria Police officers have worked more than 50,000 combined hours on the case, conducting digital forensic analysis, reviewing CCTV footage, and gathering intelligence.
Victoria Police chief commissioner Mike Bush said police would be relentless in pursuing and arresting those involved.
“Victoria Police has seen first-hand the impact this incident has had in the Victorian community – the fear and distress a crime like this can cause,” Mr Bush said.
“People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way. We remain committed to identifying all those who seek to cause this kind of fear and harm, and ensuring they are brought to justice.”
Victoria Police deputy commissioner Wendy Steendam said the arrest was significant.
“Since the fire occurred on 6 December last year, the investigation has been one of the highest priorities for Victoria Police and the JCTT,” Ms Steendam said.
“We now have charged two people as part of this investigation and I expect there will be more to come.”
Opposition Home Affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie said the latest arrest was an important step in bringing comfort to the devastated Jewish community.
“This arrest sends a powerful message that the hatred and violence we saw on that day is unacceptable and has no place in Australia, and I hope that it provides some small measure of comfort to the community devastated by this attack,” Mr Hastie said.
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