Suspect in Melbourne synagogue arson appears in court day after arrest

A suspected arsonist accused of destroying a Melbourne synagogue appears in the Australian city’s Magistrates Court, a day after he was arrested at a Melbourne home.

Police allege Giovanni Laulu, 21, 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 December 6. A worshiper preparing for morning prayers suffered minor burns.

Laulu is charged with arson, reckless conduct endangering life and car theft.

Laulu confirms his name but otherwise remains silent during the brief court appearance. He does not enter pleas or apply to be released on bail. He is ordered to remain in custody at least until his next court date on August 6.

His lawyer tells Magistrate Brett Sonnett that Laulu has been in prison before.

Prosecutors are seeking 12 weeks to gather evidence against Laulu, saying 11 cellphones need to be analyzed.

Sonnett gives the prosecution until October 22 to present the case to Laulu’s lawyers.

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.

Federal and state police, plus Australia’s main domestic spy agency, have been investigating the crime, which is suspected to be politically motivated, amid a nationwide surge in antisemitic attacks thought fueled by the war against Hamas in Gaza. Police say more than 220 law enforcement officers have devoted more than 50,000 hours to the investigation.