Police yet to establish motive for alleged firebombing of synagogue, worshippers
The NSW man accused of firebombing a Melbourne synagogue’s entrance has had his trial delayed as police continue to scour his devices for a motive.
Devices belonging to alleged synagogue arsonist Angelo Loras are being screened for information as police try to establish a motive for the alleged attack on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.
Mr Loras is accused of dousing the front door of the historic building on Albert Street with an accelerant on July 4 before trying to set it alight as 20 worshippers gathered inside for Shabbat.
Mr Loras, 34, from NSW faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court remotely from prison on Tuesday, with his lawyer successfully moving to adjourn the case to September for a sentence application.
Mr Loras was also successful in blocking a summary of his alleged offences being released to the press, with his lawyer arguing there were “certain aspects of that summary that significantly aggravate his offending that are in dispute”.
The court also heard that investigations into the incident had not concluded, with prosecutors revealing there were “two electronic devices seized … that are currently subject to investigation” for any evidence “that may establish a motive”.
Police allege Mr Loras was seen walking through Parliament Gardens before entering the grounds of the synagogue.
He has been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possession of a controlled weapon.
Charge sheets released by the court after his arrest alleged Mr Loras did “without lawful excuse recklessly engage in conduct setting fire to the front entrance of East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation that placed person/s in danger of death”.
The charge sheets also allege Mr Loras “did damage property … valued at $5000 by setting fire to the front doors” and that he is alleged to have “possessed a controlled weapon”.
There is so far no indication of what Mr Loras’s alleged motive may have been, and police are yet to disclose whether the incident was an act of terror.
Mr Loras, who resided in the western Sydney suburb of Toongabbie at the time of the attack, describes himself on social media as “single, Iranian, forklift driver, music lover”, but made no reference on his accounts to either the war in Gaza or the Iranian government.
Mr Loras is not seeking bail and will face court again in early September.
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