Latest news with #AdassIsraelSynagogue
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Properties raided in hunt for synagogue arsonists
Counter-terrorism police have raided multiple properties as investigations continue into the firebombing of a synagogue. State and federal officers executed search warrants in Melbourne's northern suburbs on Friday over the attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in the city's south on December 6. Two of the synagogue's three buildings were destroyed in the early-morning blaze, forcing members of the congregation to flee. Police issued a statement confirming the raids on Friday but said there were no further updates and the investigation remains ongoing. In May, terrorism investigators revealed they had linked a blue 2020 Volkswagen Golf sedan to the attack. The vehicle was seen driving past the synagogue multiple times before the firebombing. Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command's Tess Walsh said the blue Golf was stolen in November and used in a Bundoora arson and shooting on the night of the synagogue attack, and in a separate arson at South Yarra's Lux nightclub in November. CCTV footage showed three masked individuals wearing hoodies exiting the car, then using an axe to smash through the synagogue's entrance before setting it alight. The alleged criminals were filmed returning to the car multiple times to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited. Yumi Friedman, founder of Yumi's Dips, told AAP at the time he preparing for morning prayer when the attack began. He was forced to flee after hearing a "big bang on the door with a sledgehammer", Mr Friedman said. Police have renewed their call for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward. "This investigation continues to be treated as a priority including the involvement of significant resources across all agencies," a police spokesperson said on Friday. CCTV from more than 1400 locations has been scoured by police who believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Perth Now
Fresh clue to solving synagogue firebombing attack
A stolen car used by criminals in an alleged "politically motivated" synagogue firebombing has been linked to two previous arsons and a shooting. Terrorism investigators on Thursday released a series of images of the crooks believed to be responsible for the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in December and other serious crimes in Victoria. Two of the synagogue's three buildings in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the fire that erupted in the early hours of December 6, deeming the arson a likely a politically-motivated attack. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers who escaped, with one suffering minor injuries. Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police shows a blue Volkswagen Golf 2020 sedan driving past the synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three people donning hoodies and masks are seen getting out of the vehicle and using an axe to damage the entrance of the building before pouring at least two liquids from a red jerry can inside the entrance and enter the synagogue. Vision shows the alleged criminals returning to the car multiple times to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited. They fled after the synagogue went up in flames in the direction towards the western suburbs. Police allege the blue Golf is a stolen car which was used in an arson and shooting in Bundoora on the same night before the synagogue attack and an arson on the Lux nightclub in South Yarra in November. Arson detectives on Thursday arrested two Pakenham men, aged 22 and 23, over the suspicious nightclub fire which caused more than $10 million worth of damage. Police seized the car, which was stolen from a driveway in Croydon in November and had cloned number plates in 2024, and are not considering the Bundoora and South Yarra incidents politically-motivated attacks. Counter-terror officers collected and combed through CCTV from more than 1400 locations and believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Stephen Nutt said. "This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO," he said. He urged the "extremely violent" individuals to come forward. Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said the synagogue attack impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and concerned. "There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key," she said. "We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information."
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- The Guardian
Police reiterate suspicion Adass Israel Synagogue arson was ‘politically-motivated' as new footage released
The ultra-orthodox Adass community in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs has been offered support ahead of the public release of 'confronting' vision showing their synagogue being set alight in December. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has released images of those allegedly responsible for last year's Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in Victoria, while also reiterating their suspicion it was 'a politically-motivated attack'. It remains a terrorism investigation. In a statement, the JCTT said investigators had reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and were releasing footage to 'encourage members of the public, and those with knowledge of this crime, to come forward'. Community leaders were told on Thursday morning that the footage would be released by police ahead of a press conference in the afternoon. Police also warned community leaders to prepare their congregation for the distressing vision. A statement issued to the kehilla, which means congregation, by Adass leaders on Thursday morning advised police would 'be releasing footage from the shul recorded on the morning of the fire'. 'They will seeking public assistance if anyone recognises or can identify anything from the footage,' the statement said. 'They have warned that the footage may be confronting for members of our Kehilla. If you have any questions or require any support please be in touch with the Kehilla board.' Police released the CCTV vision as part of a public appeal for information, detailing that it showed a 'blue Golf sedan drive past the Adass Israel Synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance on 6 December 2024'. Police said the footage then showed 'three individuals dressed in hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the synagogue', and 'at least two individuals commence pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance of the synagogue, before entering the building'. 'It shows the individuals making multiple trips to the Golf to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited.' Police alleged the Golf was a stolen car that was also used in other offences before synagogue arson, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and an arson and shooting that occurred in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue arson attack. AFP assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt said police believed there were 'multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson'. More details soon …
The Age
15-05-2025
- The Age
Police link synagogue terror attack to nightclub arson
The car used in the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue last year is also suspected to have been used in other crimes, including an arson attack on a nightclub, as police release new images in their hunt for the alleged assailants. Police on Thursday revealed that they believe the same vehicle used in an arson attack on Lux Nightclub in South Yarra on November 21 was also used in the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing in Ripponlea on December 6. Also on December 6, police said the car – a blue Volkswagen Golf sedan – was used in a drive-by shooting and arson on Boadle Road in Bundoora in Melbourne's north-east. Detectives from a joint counter-terrorism taskforce – including members from Victoria Police, the AFO and ASIO – published images of those allegedly behind the synagogue attack on Thursday after combing through CCTV footage from more than 1400 locations to track their movements. 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues,' said Stephen Nutt, AFP's assistant commissioner for counter-terrorism and special investigations command. 'I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment. 'It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now.' Members of the Adass Israel congregation fled as fire engulfed the synagogue following the arson attack by two masked suspects who remain at large.
Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Police link synagogue terror attack to nightclub arson
The car used in the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue last year is also suspected to have been used in other crimes, including an arson attack on a nightclub, as police release new images in their hunt for the alleged assailants. Police on Thursday revealed that they believe the same vehicle used in an arson attack on Lux Nightclub in South Yarra on November 21 was also used in the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing in Ripponlea on December 6. Also on December 6, police said the car – a blue Volkswagen Golf sedan – was used in a drive-by shooting and arson on Boadle Road in Bundoora in Melbourne's north-east. Detectives from a joint counter-terrorism taskforce – including members from Victoria Police, the AFO and ASIO – published images of those allegedly behind the synagogue attack on Thursday after combing through CCTV footage from more than 1400 locations to track their movements. 'We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues,' said Stephen Nutt, AFP's assistant commissioner for counter-terrorism and special investigations command. 'I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment. 'It is just a matter of time before police knock on your door. It is in your interest to come forward now.' Members of the Adass Israel congregation fled as fire engulfed the synagogue following the arson attack by two masked suspects who remain at large.
