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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
03-08-2025
- Perth Now
Hunt for man in Scream mask over synagogue graffiti
A synagogue has been spray-painted in a series of hate-fuelled attacks, sparking a hunt for a masked man. The synagogue, at South Yarra in Melbourne's inner southeast, has been the target of graffiti five times from March 11 to July 30. On each occasion, police say an unknown man arrived alone on a black e-scooter and tagged "offensive phrases". Security camera footage was released on Monday in a bid to track down the suspect, who is described as white, of medium build and bald. He usually wore a long black jacket and black and white face covering, but also donned a Ghostface mask from the movie Scream in his two most recent forays on July 22 and 30. "There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based behaviour," police said. Melbourne synagogues have repeatedly become a target after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the nation's subsequent military campaign in Gaza. Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in an alleged firebombing in December 2024. Giovanni Laulu, 21, was the first person directly charged over the alleged arson and fronted court on Thursday. An allegedly deliberately lit fire at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on July 4 forced a group of about 20 people inside the building to flee. It was roundly condemned, including by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old from NSW, has since been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.
Herald Sun
31-07-2025
- Herald Sun
Ripponlea synagogue fire: Man charged with arson, endangering life
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News. The 21-year-old from Werribee was arrested on Wednesday, police later saying he was involved in the blaze in which fuel was spread through the house of worship and set alight. He has now been charged with arson, conduct endangering life and vehicle theft. The conduct endangering life charge relates to worshippers who were inside the Ripponlea synagogue when it was set alight. The Werribee man was arrested during one of seven pre-dawn raids across Melbourne on Wednesday morning. Search warrants were executed at homes in Toorak, Point Cook, Airport West, Hadfield, Werribee, Coburg and Weir Views. Multiple mobile phones were allegedly seized and will be examined by detectives. In a major update, police also revealed tobacco war kingpin Kazem 'Kaz' Hamad is part of the ongoing probe into the firebombing. Earlier this month police announced they had arrested the man accused of stealing the alleged getaway vehicle, a 2020 Volkswagen Golf, used in the attack. More to come...
The Advertiser
31-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Accused synagogue firebomber faces court for first time
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. 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.
