Suspect charged in arson attack on Australian synagogue

34-year-old Sydney man charged with sparking fire at a Melbourne synagogue as authorities mull terrorism charges.

By World Israel News Staff

Australian authorities have arrested and indicted a man suspected of setting fire to a Melbourne synagogue last Friday.

On Friday, three separate incidents were reported against Jewish targets in the city.

While some two dozen people gathered for the Sabbath evening meal Friday night, an arsonist poured flammable liquid on the entrance of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation synagogue, set the entrance on fire, then fled.

All of those present in the building at the time were able to escape via a back door, though the synagogue suffered fire damage before firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.

Separately, an Israeli-owned restaurant, Miznon, was attacked by a mob of roughly 20 protesters who trashed the eatery in Melbourne’s central business district.

One suspect linked to the restaurant attack, a 28-year-old man, was arrested and later released.

Officers from the Victoria Police’s Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit assigned to probe the synagogue arson arrested a suspect at 8:15 p.m. Saturday in the Melbourne central business district.

“It is alleged the man was seen walking through Parliament Gardens before entering the grounds of the synagogue on Albert Street on 4 July about 8pm,” Victoria Police said after the arrest.

“The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene.”

After being taken into custody and interrogated, the suspect was charged with reckless endangerment charges, property damage, and possession of a controlled weapon.

The suspect has been identified as 34-year-old Angelo Loras, a resident of Toongabbie outside Sydney. On social media, Loras described himself as Iranian.

Victoria Police said they are investigating whether the attack can be construed by prosecutors as an act of terrorism.

“Detectives will continue to examine the intent and ideology of the person charged to determine if the incident is in fact terrorism.”

In a third incident reported in Melbourne, multiple cars were vandalized with antisemitic graffiti and set on fire.