Latest news with #AdassIsraelSynagogue
West Australian
7 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Melbourne man accused of sending death threats, anti-Semitic remarks to Australian politicians
A Melbourne man accused of sending death threats to a federal lawmaker is working with authorities on a support plan to address his underlying issues, a court has been told. The 33-year-old from Reservoir, in the city's north, was arrested on February 6 as part of an investigation by the AFP-led Special Operation Avalite – set up in the wake of the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing late last year to probe anti-Semitic threats and violence to Australia's Jewish community and parliamentarians. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with four counts of using a carriage service to menace and one count of using a carriage service to threaten to kill. According to the AFP, it's alleged he used social media and email to make death threats and anti-Semitic comments towards a NSW-based federal MP between January 16 and 18 this year. The man is also alleged to have made threats to a Victorian state MP the same month over social media. He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday for a short hearing after his case was referred to the Assessment and Referral Court (ARC). According to the Magistrates' Court of Victoria website, the ARC aims to assist people with complex mental health conditions receive support for up to 12 months before sentencing. 'ARC's therapeutic approach increases participants' engagement with the court process while providing treatment and support tailored to their needs and to address the underlying causes of their offending,' the website states. During the hearing, Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano left the bench to sit around a large oval-shaped desk with the accused man, his lawyer Jackson McLeod, a police prosecutor and court support services in a less formal setting. The court was told the man was engaging with support services to develop an individual support plan and access treatment needs. 'A lot of this stuff I've needed for years; its kind of irritating it's come this far,' he said. The accused man complained about his support worker, saying he'd avoided her recently because 'all she wants to do is drug me' and repeatedly mentioned an ex-boyfriend who, he said, had thrown his life into disarray. Mr Caltabiano said he was not going to pretend the ARC process would make things 'rosy' for the accused man, but the hope was his personal situation would improve. 'What I see in here is a number of things that hopefully if they can come together means some of these challenges become less significant,' the magistrate said after reviewing case notes. The accused man will return to court in a month for another case management check-in.
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Man accused of threatening MPs
A Melbourne man accused of sending death threats to a federal lawmaker is working with authorities on a support plan to address his underlying issues, a court has been told. The 33-year-old from Reservoir, in the city's north, was arrested on February 6 as part of an investigation by the AFP-led Special Operation Avalite – set up in the wake of the Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing late last year to probe anti-Semitic threats and violence to Australia's Jewish community and parliamentarians. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with four counts of using a carriage service to menace and one count of using a carriage service to threaten to kill. According to the AFP, it's alleged he used social media and email to make death threats and anti-Semitic comments towards a NSW-based federal MP between January 16 and 18 this year. He was charged in February by the AFP-led Special Operation Avalite. Supplied/ Australian Federal Police. Credit: Supplied The man is also alleged to have made threats to a Victorian state MP the same month over social media. He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday for a short hearing after his case was referred to the Assessment and Referral Court (ARC). According to the Magistrates' Court of Victoria website, the ARC aims to assist people with complex mental health conditions receive support for up to 12 months before sentencing. 'ARC's therapeutic approach increases participants' engagement with the court process while providing treatment and support tailored to their needs and to address the underlying causes of their offending,' the website states. During the hearing, Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano left the bench to sit around a large oval-shaped desk with the accused man, his lawyer Jackson McLeod, a police prosecutor and court support services in a less formal setting. The court was told the man was engaging with support services to develop an individual support plan and access treatment needs. 'A lot of this stuff I've needed for years; its kind of irritating it's come this far,' he said. He will return to court in early September. NewsWire / Penny Stephens Credit: News Corp Australia The accused man complained about his support worker, saying he'd avoided her recently because 'all she wants to do is drug me' and repeatedly mentioned an ex-boyfriend who, he said, had thrown his life into disarray. Mr Caltabiano said he was not going to pretend the ARC process would make things 'rosy' for the accused man, but the hope was his personal situation would improve. 'What I see in here is a number of things that hopefully if they can come together means some of these challenges become less significant,' the magistrate said after reviewing case notes. The accused man will return to court in a month for another case management check-in.
CTV News
31-07-2025
- CTV News
Suspected arsonist appears in court over Melbourne synagogue fire that shocked the nation
Debris is strewn at the burnt-out Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Yumi Rosenbaum/AAP Image via AP) MELBOURNE, Australia — A suspected arsonist accused of destroying a Melbourne synagogue appeared in court seven months after the crime shocked the nation and triggered a large-scale investigation. Giovanni Laulu, 21, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court Thursday after his arrest at a Melbourne home on Wednesday. Police allege Laulu is one of three masked men who spread a liquid accelerant around the interior of the Adass Israel Synagogue then set it alight before dawn on Dec. 6. A worshipper preparing for morning prayers suffered minor burns. Laulu is the first suspect to be caught, but police have foreshadowed more arrests. Police suspect there are also accomplices who planned the attack from overseas. Laulu was charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft. Laulu confirmed his name but otherwise remained silent during the brief court appearance. He did not enter pleas or apply to be released on bail. His lawyer told Magistrate Brett Sonnett this was not Laulu's first time in prison. Laulu was then remanded in custody and will appear in court next on Aug. 6. Prosecutors sought 12 weeks to gather evidence against Laulu and said 11 cell phones need to be analysed. Sonnett gave the prosecution until Oct. 22 to present their case to Laulu's lawyers. Federal and state police, plus Australia's main domestic spy agency, have been investigating the crime, which is suspected to be politically motivated. Police say more than 220 law enforcement officers have devoted more than 50,000 hours to the investigation. State Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said Victoria Police would be relentless in pursuing and holding those involved in the synagogue arson to account. 'Victoria Police has seen first-hand the impact this incident has had in the Victorian community — the fear and distress a crime like this can cause,' Bush said in a statement. 'People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way. We remain committed to identifying all those who seek to cause this kind of fear and harm, and ensuring they are brought to justice,' he added. A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. The synagogue attack is the only incident that has been classified as an act of terrorism, a designation that increases the resources available to the investigation. The federal government has committed 30 million Australian dollars (US$20 million) to rebuild the synagogue. Rod Mcguirk, The Associated Press
The Independent
31-07-2025
- The Independent
Suspected arsonist appears in court over Melbourne synagogue fire that shocked the nation
A suspected arsonist accused of destroying a Melbourne synagogue appeared in court seven months after the crime shocked the nation and triggered a large-scale investigation. Giovanni Laulu, 21, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court Thursday after his arrest at a Melbourne home on Wednesday. Police allege Laulu is one of three masked men who spread a liquid accelerant around the interior of the Adass Israel Synagogue then set it alight before dawn on Dec. 6. A worshipper preparing for morning prayers suffered minor burns. Laulu is the first suspect to be caught, but police have foreshadowed more arrests. Police suspect there are also accomplices who planned the attack from overseas. Laulu was charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft. Laulu confirmed his name but otherwise remained silent during the brief court appearance. He did not enter pleas or apply to be released on bail. His lawyer told Magistrate Brett Sonnett this was not Laulu's first time in prison. Laulu was then remanded in custody and will appear in court next on Aug. 6. Prosecutors sought 12 weeks to gather evidence against Laulu and said 11 cell phones need to be analysed. Sonnett gave the prosecution until Oct. 22 to present their case to Laulu's lawyers. Federal and state police, plus Australia's main domestic spy agency, have been investigating the crime, which is suspected to be politically motivated. Police say more than 220 law enforcement officers have devoted more than 50,000 hours to the investigation. State Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said Victoria Police would be relentless in pursuing and holding those involved in the synagogue arson to account. 'Victoria Police has seen first-hand the impact this incident has had in the Victorian community — the fear and distress a crime like this can cause,' Bush said in a statement. ' People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way. We remain committed to identifying all those who seek to cause this kind of fear and harm, and ensuring they are brought to justice,' he added. A wave of antisemitic attacks has roiled Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. The synagogue attack is the only incident that has been classified as an act of terrorism, a designation that increases the resources available to the investigation. The federal government has committed 30 million Australian dollars ($20 million) to rebuild the synagogue.
Washington Post
31-07-2025
- Washington Post
Suspected arsonist appears in court over Melbourne synagogue fire that shocked the nation
MELBOURNE, Australia — A suspected arsonist accused of destroying a Melbourne synagogue appeared in court seven months after the crime shocked the nation and triggered a large-scale investigation. Giovanni Laulu, 21, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court Thursday after his arrest at a Melbourne home on Wednesday. Police allege Laulu is one of three masked men who spread a liquid accelerant around the interior of the Adass Israel Synagogue then set it alight before dawn on Dec. 6. A worshipper preparing for morning prayers suffered minor burns.
