Adass Israel Synagogue arson: Melbourne man, 21, arrested in police probe over synagogue fire

Police have swooped on a young Melbourne man as part of a months-long counter-terrorism probe into an arson attack at a synagogue.

A young man is expected to be charged with arson offences in connection with a fire attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, as police probe overseas links to the fire.

Police swooped on the 21-year-old Werribee resident as part of co-ordinated raids across the city on Wednesday.

In a joint statement between Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, investigators said it would be alleged the man was one of three individuals who set fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6 last year.

According to the statement, officers from the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) executed seven search warrants on Wednesday, seizing various items including electronic devices.

CCTV released by police in May this year captured three individuals smash their way into the building, one holding a red jerry can, before the building was set alight.

The 4.10am fire caused significant damage to the Ripponlea building and damaged sacred texts.

The man was arrested over his alleged role in the arson that severely damaged the Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024. Picture: Supplied/ AFP/ Victoria Police.

Police also released 53-seconds of footage of the Werribee man being led handcuffed from a exposed brick home to the back of a police car – seemingly before dawn.

Addressing media on Wednesday, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said the 21-year-old would be interviewed in relation to three offences – arson, conduct endangering life, and theft of a motor vehicle.

“There is no doubt that this fire was a deliberate act that left people across Victoria and the Victorian community feeling shocked, saddened and rightfully concerned,” she said

“What I want to make clear today is that this investigation remains ongoing and we anticipate that there will be further arrests.

“Since the fire occurred at the synagogue in December last year it has been one of the highest priorities for Victoria Police and our partner agencies.”

Deputy Commissioner Steendam said it was alleged the car used, a blue VW Golf, was a “communal crime car, linked to a number of unrelated offences”.

Members of the Jewish community were seen removing religious artefacts from the burnt remains of their Synagogue after the fire. Picture: NewsWire/David Caird

The Deputy Commissioner said the JCTT was “relentlessly pursuing” the remaining two individuals who allegedly lit the blaze at the synagogue.

“We expect to have further information and action in the near future.”

The man arrested on Wednesday was already known to police, she said.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said “the gravity” of the crime had “not been lessened by time”.

“It’s important to acknowledge that this was not just an arson on a synagogue, the damage to the building and religious materials were obvious but the effect of this crime rippled through the community which continues to be targeted by bigots and criminals,” she said.

“We will not let this go unpunished in Australia and that’s why we have responded with meticulous energy and relentless determination.”

Members of the Adass Israel community gathered outside the synagogue on Friday December 6. Picture: NewsWire/ Andrew Henshaw

Deputy Commissioner Barrett said investigators were continuing to probe the incident as a suspected “politically motivated crime” and said more than 220 officers had spent more than 50,000 hours on the case in the past seven months.

She told media she was “not going to name countries” but police were looking into offshore criminal connections.

“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,” Deputy Commissioner Barrett said.

“The motivation is still being assessed and we will make further comments at an appropriate time.”

She said overseas crime boss Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, who is allegedly behind Melbourne’s tobacco war despite being deported to Iraq, had been investigated in connection with the attacks.

“That is a name that has come up in our investigation and that remains one of our ongoing lines of inquiry,” she said.

Deputy Commissioner Steendam said there was “nothing I have” to suggest links between the synagogue fire and the illicit tobacco trade, the Sydney Dural caravan incident or a fire at an East Melbourne synagogue on July 4.

Deputy Commissioner Barrett told media an AFP member was attacked by a dog during the arrest of the Werribee man at a Weirs View property, and has been hospitalised.

Ms Barrett said a gun was used to stop the attack, with the dog later euthanased at a veterinary clinic.

She said that the officer is “going to be okay”.

Tributes at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea. Picture: NewsWire /David Geraghty

The man is the second person arrested over the arson, with a Williamstown man, 20, charged on July 17 over his alleged role in the theft of a blue VW Golf linked to the fire.

Police say further arrests and charges are expected soon.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the arrest brings “some long-awaited comfort and reassurance” to the Jewish community.

“It is ominous that police are continuing to treat the despicable firebombing of the Adass synagogue as politically motivated,” he said.

“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.”

Police have renewed calls for anyone with information about the fire or the blue VW Golf to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Adass Israel Synagogue arson: Melbourne man, 21, arrested in police probe over synagogue fire