Overview

• A 34-year-old man from Sydney’s Toongabbie suburb was arrested and charged with reckless conduct endangering life and serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possession of a controlled weapon over the July 4 attack.
• Around 8pm during Shabbat dinner, the suspect poured flammable liquid on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation’s front door and set it alight, prompting the safe evacuation of about 20 worshippers as CCTV captured the incident.
• Victoria Police’s Joint Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit is leading the inquiry, has released a CCTV image of the suspect and is assessing whether the arson qualifies for a terrorism declaration.
• Investigators are examining possible links between the synagogue fire, a protest at the Miznon restaurant in the Melbourne CBD and early-morning car arsons in Greensborough.
• Premier Jacinta Allan, federal leaders and Jewish community organisations condemned the attacks and are calling for immediate enactment of new protest restrictions and tougher hate-crime penalties.