MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - A man named Ali Younes, 20, charged with setting fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue in an antisemitic attack, was remanded in custody during his court appearance on Wednesday. This incident, which occurred in December, has been linked to Iran by Australian officials. Younes is one of two suspects charged in connection with the arson attack, which police claim involved three masked individuals who used a liquid accelerant to ignite the building's interior, causing significant damage and injuring a worshipper.
Younes, who resides in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, appeared via video link from jail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. This was his initial court appearance following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's assertions that Iran's Revolutionary Guard orchestrated not only the fire at the synagogue but also a prior arson incident at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a kosher restaurant in Sydney.
On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, denied Australia's allegations, suggesting that the claims were tied to issues concerning Israel following Australia’s announcement of recognizing a Palestinian state. Despite these allegations, no direct links to Iran have surfaced during court proceedings involving the arson suspects.
Younes will return to court on December 4, alongside his co-accused Giovanni Laulu, a 21-year-old from Melbourne's western outskirts, who has been in custody since his arrest last month. Both individuals face charges of arson, reckless conduct endangering life, and car theft. The arson charge alone could result in a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, while the other offenses carry potential penalties of 10 years each.
In light of the severity of the incident, which was classified as a terrorist act early in the investigation, resources allocated to the investigation have been increased. No terrorism charges have been filed against either suspect to date, despite their connection to the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which comprises officials from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess highlighted the complexity of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's involvement, describing it as a "complex web of proxies" used to conceal their participation in the two antisemitic attacks in Australia. Benjamin Klein, a board member of the affected synagogue, expressed his shock that a peaceful community place would be targeted by overseas terrorists, emphasizing the emotional impact on the local Jewish community.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, voiced concerns regarding the broader implications of these attacks, stating that the targeting of Jewish-owned businesses instills fear among the Jewish Australian community. This mounting apprehension extends to other incidents, with individuals from Sydney also having been charged in relation to the attacks.
Prime Minister Albanese has refrained from disclosing specific details about how Iran allegedly directed the recent crimes, citing ongoing investigations into other antisemitic attacks. The Australian government has taken significant diplomatic actions, including expelling Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi, following accusations of Iranian involvement. The expulsion marks a significant diplomatic shift, as Sadeghi is the first Iranian ambassador to be expelled from Australia since World War II. The Prime Minister emphasized that the attacks represent an assault on Australia’s social fabric.
In light of these developments, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australians in Iran to leave immediately, citing safety concerns. She remarked on the unpredictable and potentially violent nature of the Iranian regime, reinforcing the measures being taken to ensure the safety of Australian citizens and diplomatic personnel.
