Accused synagogue firebomber faces court for first time
Giovanni Laulu faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday when he did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
The 21-year-old Werribee man has been charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft.
Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the alleged firebombing in December 2024.
Police allege Laulu was one of three people who broke into the synagogue and set it ablaze while two congregants were inside preparing for morning prayers.
The worshippers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries.
Laulu stared straight ahead from the dock and nodded when magistrate Brett Sonnet addressed him.
His lawyer confirmed he had no custody issues and that it was not the first time he had been held in prison.
Investigators had conducted raids on seven locations, where they arrested Laulu and seized items including electronic devices.
The commonwealth prosecutor sought 12 weeks to gather evidence, revealing 11 mobile phones needed to be analysed.
"It's a very extensive investigation - seven months," he told the court.
Laulu is also facing a charge of car theft related to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car".
A 20-year-old man was arrested in July over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high profile incidents, including the alleged synagogue firebombing, the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra, and an arson and shooting at Bundoora.
Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals had worked together on the alleged synagogue arson, and said further arrests and charges are expected.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the force will relentlessly pursue those involved and hold them to account.
"People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way," he said.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the joint counter terrorism taskforce investigation remains a priority and acknowledged the rippling effect the alleged arson had on the community.
"The gravity of this crime has not been lessened by time, and I can confirm the (taskforce) continues to investigate the arson attack as a politically motivated crime," she said.
Laulu will next face Werribee Magistrates Court on August 6 for separate matters before returning to Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 4.
A man charged with a "politically motivated" arson attack on a synagogue has faced court for the first time, as investigators continue to comb through piles of evidence.
Giovanni Laulu faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday when he did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
The 21-year-old Werribee man has been charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft.
Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the alleged firebombing in December 2024.
Police allege Laulu was one of three people who broke into the synagogue and set it ablaze while two congregants were inside preparing for morning prayers.
The worshippers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries.
Laulu stared straight ahead from the dock and nodded when magistrate Brett Sonnet addressed him.
His lawyer confirmed he had no custody issues and that it was not the first time he had been held in prison.
Investigators had conducted raids on seven locations, where they arrested Laulu and seized items including electronic devices.
The commonwealth prosecutor sought 12 weeks to gather evidence, revealing 11 mobile phones needed to be analysed.
"It's a very extensive investigation - seven months," he told the court.
Laulu is also facing a charge of car theft related to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car".
A 20-year-old man was arrested in July over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high profile incidents, including the alleged synagogue firebombing, the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra, and an arson and shooting at Bundoora.
Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals had worked together on the alleged synagogue arson, and said further arrests and charges are expected.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the force will relentlessly pursue those involved and hold them to account.
"People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way," he said.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the joint counter terrorism taskforce investigation remains a priority and acknowledged the rippling effect the alleged arson had on the community.
"The gravity of this crime has not been lessened by time, and I can confirm the (taskforce) continues to investigate the arson attack as a politically motivated crime," she said.
Laulu will next face Werribee Magistrates Court on August 6 for separate matters before returning to Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 4.
A man charged with a "politically motivated" arson attack on a synagogue has faced court for the first time, as investigators continue to comb through piles of evidence.
Giovanni Laulu faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday when he did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
The 21-year-old Werribee man has been charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft.
Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the alleged firebombing in December 2024.
Police allege Laulu was one of three people who broke into the synagogue and set it ablaze while two congregants were inside preparing for morning prayers.
The worshippers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries.
Laulu stared straight ahead from the dock and nodded when magistrate Brett Sonnet addressed him.
His lawyer confirmed he had no custody issues and that it was not the first time he had been held in prison.
Investigators had conducted raids on seven locations, where they arrested Laulu and seized items including electronic devices.
The commonwealth prosecutor sought 12 weeks to gather evidence, revealing 11 mobile phones needed to be analysed.
"It's a very extensive investigation - seven months," he told the court.
Laulu is also facing a charge of car theft related to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car".
A 20-year-old man was arrested in July over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high profile incidents, including the alleged synagogue firebombing, the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra, and an arson and shooting at Bundoora.
Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals had worked together on the alleged synagogue arson, and said further arrests and charges are expected.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the force will relentlessly pursue those involved and hold them to account.
"People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way," he said.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the joint counter terrorism taskforce investigation remains a priority and acknowledged the rippling effect the alleged arson had on the community.
"The gravity of this crime has not been lessened by time, and I can confirm the (taskforce) continues to investigate the arson attack as a politically motivated crime," she said.
Laulu will next face Werribee Magistrates Court on August 6 for separate matters before returning to Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 4.
A man charged with a "politically motivated" arson attack on a synagogue has faced court for the first time, as investigators continue to comb through piles of evidence.
Giovanni Laulu faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday when he did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
The 21-year-old Werribee man has been charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft.
Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the alleged firebombing in December 2024.
Police allege Laulu was one of three people who broke into the synagogue and set it ablaze while two congregants were inside preparing for morning prayers.
The worshippers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries.
Laulu stared straight ahead from the dock and nodded when magistrate Brett Sonnet addressed him.
His lawyer confirmed he had no custody issues and that it was not the first time he had been held in prison.
Investigators had conducted raids on seven locations, where they arrested Laulu and seized items including electronic devices.
The commonwealth prosecutor sought 12 weeks to gather evidence, revealing 11 mobile phones needed to be analysed.
"It's a very extensive investigation - seven months," he told the court.
Laulu is also facing a charge of car theft related to a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf sedan allegedly used in other offences as a "communal crime car".
A 20-year-old man was arrested in July over his alleged role in stealing the same car linked to separate high profile incidents, including the alleged synagogue firebombing, the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra, and an arson and shooting at Bundoora.
Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals had worked together on the alleged synagogue arson, and said further arrests and charges are expected.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the force will relentlessly pursue those involved and hold them to account.
"People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way," he said.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the joint counter terrorism taskforce investigation remains a priority and acknowledged the rippling effect the alleged arson had on the community.
"The gravity of this crime has not been lessened by time, and I can confirm the (taskforce) continues to investigate the arson attack as a politically motivated crime," she said.
Laulu will next face Werribee Magistrates Court on August 6 for separate matters before returning to Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 4.
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