Australian police on Friday charged a third suspect in the arson attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024, bringing the total number of people charged in connection with the blaze to four, according to a joint statement from the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization.
The unnamed suspect, 20, from the Airport West area of Melbourne, was already in police custody on unrelated charges. He was charged with criminal damage by fire, conduct endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle, the statement said. The arson charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, while the other two charges each carry a maximum of 10 years. His next court appearance is set for Tuesday.
Police allege the man is one of three people who broke into the Melbourne synagogue and deliberately set it on fire. The other two suspects alleged to have been directly involved — Giovanni Laulu, 21, of Werribee, and Younes Ali Younes, 20, of Meadow Heights — were charged in July 2025 and August 2025 respectively, and are in custody. Another man, from Melton South, was charged in July 2025 with stealing a vehicle used to drive to the synagogue.
“There is no understating the fear and genuine sense of unease this crime created in our society,” Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier said in a statement. Crozier said investigators believe some individuals have “actively lied to the JCTT, likely in an attempt to hinder our investigation. Let me be very clear. You will not obstruct justice. Now is the time for you to come forward and do the right thing.”
Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul O’Halloran said pursuing those behind anti-Semitic attacks is a priority for the force. “We have remained firmly focused on ensuring those who bring harm to our community are put before the court,” O’Halloran said. “It doesn’t matter what role someone may play, if you are involved in an incident such as this then I can assure you police and our partner agencies will do everything we can to fully investigate and hold you to account for your actions.”
O’Halloran thanked the Jewish community for its assistance and support during the investigation.
MSI previously reported on a similar attack in the United States, where a Mississippi man was arrested on federal charges for setting fire to a synagogue in January 2026.
The Adass Israel Synagogue attack was one of several incidents targeting Jewish institutions worldwide in recent months. In April, a teen pleaded guilty to arson at a London synagogue, and in March, Dutch prosecutors charged four teenagers with terror offenses over a blast at a Rotterdam synagogue.