A young man has been arrested, accused of playing a direct role in the “politically motivated” arson attack on a synagogue.
Counter-terrorism police allege the 21-year-old man is one of three people responsible for the attack at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue.
The Australian federal police deputy commissioner for national security, Krissy Barrett, told a Wednesday press conference: “Our investigation is not limited to Australia.”
“It involves exploring criminals offshore,” she said. “And we suspect these criminals worked with criminals in Victoria to carry out the arson attack.”
Barrett said the motivation for the attack was still being assessed, and that the AFP was “working closely” with Five Eyes and international partners on the investigation.
She thanked Australia’s Jewish community, especially the Adass Israel Synagogue community, for their “stoicism, patience and support”.
There has been mounting pressure for police to make further arrests over the December 2024 fire, which destroyed two of the synagogue’s three buildings.
Police expect further arrests and additional charges are anticipated.
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Two congregants who were preparing for morning prayers escaped the blaze, with one suffering minor injuries.
Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police in May showed three people in hoodies and masks getting out of a car before using an axe to damage the entrance of the building.
Detectives arrested a 20-year-old man in July over his alleged role in stealing a car linked to several high-profile incidents, including the synagogue firebombing.
The man is next due to face court in October after being charged with car theft and failing to provide access to applications on his phone.
The stolen car was used in other offences, including the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra in November, as well as an arson and shooting at Bundoora.
Police executed seven search warrants across Melbourne on Wednesday, seizing various items including electronic devices which will be forensically examined.
An AFP member was attacked by an unrestrained dog at the Weir Views home, AFP said in a statement, resulting in a police firearm being discharged. The dog was later euthanised, and police said the member was being treated for serious bite injuries in hospital.
Barrett confirmed in the statement that Victoria’s counter-terrorism team (JCTT) “continues to investigate the arson attack as a politically-motivated crime”.
Victoria police deputy commissioner, Wendy Steendam, said the arrest marked a “significant step forward” in the investigation.
“Today’s arrest is a demonstration of our ongoing efforts to hold those involved to account,” she said.
“We now have charged two people as part of this investigation and I expect there will be more to come.”
Police said they would interview the 21-year-old man in relation to several offences, including arson.
