Man charged over Adass Israel Synagogue firebombing faces court
A fire tore through the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea in December 2024. (Supplied: Sally Westwood)
In short:
A 20-year-old man has appeared in court after being charged with arson, conduct endangering life and the theft of a motor vehicle in connection with the alleged firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.
He faced court a day after the prime minister and ASIO officials said the incident was linked to the Iranian government.
What's next?
Younes Ali Younes is next due in court on December 4.
A man charged with firebombing a Melbourne synagogue has faced court for the first time, a day after the prime minister and ASIO officials said the incident was linked to the Iranian government.
Younes Ali Younes, 20, was charged with arson, conduct endangering life and the theft of a motor vehicle after a major police investigation into the fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024.
The Meadow Heights man, who has been in custody since August 21, faced the Melbourne Magistrates' Court via video link for a filing hearing.
Details of the alleged offending were not aired during the brief hearing.
Fire crews brought the blaze under control within half an hour. (ABC News)
A Commonwealth prosecutor said a police brief of evidence would be submitted to Mr Ali Younes's defence lawyers by October 23.
The police brief would include security footage, along with digital and DNA evidence, the court heard.
Mr Ali Younes, who wore a green jumper and was beamed in from the Melbourne Remand Centre, did not apply for bail.
He is next due in court on December 4.
Iranian links to Adass attack, authorities say
On Tuesday, Anthony Albanese and ASIO boss Mike Burgess said the Iranian government used third parties to order the Adass attack, along with an arson on Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney.
The Iranian ambassador and three other officials were ordered out of the country.
Police alleged Mr Ali Younes was one of three people involved in the alleged firebombing of the synagogue in Melbourne's south-east.
A 21-year-old from Werribee has also been arrested and is due to face court in October. A third offender remained on the run, police said last week.
The fire caused widespread damage to the Ripponlea synagogue, with the incident drawing condemnation from Australian political leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the time, witnesses recounted hearing banging on a door before a flammable liquid was thrown inside and set alight.
The estimated damage to the synagogue was $20 million, according to charge sheets released by the court.
Synagogue members have vowed to rebuild.