Synagogue arson suspect in court for attack that Australia accuses Iran of orchestrating
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Debris from damage following an attack at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
MELBOURNE – A man charged with setting fire to a Melbourne synagogue appeared in court on Aug 27 over an attack that Australia says was orchestrated by Iran and has led to the expulsion of Tehran’s ambassador.
Australia said on Aug 26 that Iran had sought to disguise its involvement
Canberra is the latest Western government to accuse Iran of carrying out hostile covert activities on its soil. In July, 14 countries, including Britain, the US and France, condemned what they called a surge in assassination, kidnapping and harassment plots by Iranian intelligence services.
Younes Ali Younes, 20, appeared for the first time via video link at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Aug 25 in connection with the attack on the synagogue in December 2024, which gutted the building and destroyed sacred texts, causing millions of dollars in damage.
He spoke only to confirm he could hear and understand proceedings, and is yet to enter a plea.
His lawyer, Mr Mark Aouad, declined to comment on the case, which is scheduled to return to court on Dec 4.
The police have already charged two alleged accomplices.
Canberra’s order for Iranian ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi to leave within seven days was its first such expulsion of any foreign ambassador since World War II.
Mr Sadeghi was seen for the first time on Aug 27 at the Iranian embassy in Canberra since Australia ordered his expulsion.
He made no comment to media as he left the building in a white car.
Incident surge
Since the Israel-Gaza war began in October 2023, Australian homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles have been targeted in anti-semitic vandalism and arson, while Islamophobic incidents have also surged.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in an interview with ABC Radio on Aug 27 there was no reason to believe the people behind the two anti-semitic attacks linked to Iran were aware Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was directing them.
“But that doesn’t change the seriousness from the Australian government’s point of view that Iran was still involved in directing attacks on Australian soil,” Mr Burke said.
Iran has repeatedly denied such allegations, which it says are part of a campaign against it by hostile Western powers.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned Australians to avoid travelling to Iran after the government decided to close its embassy in the country, where she estimates up to 4,000 Australian citizens are currently living.
“If you are in Iran, you should come home,” Ms Wong told Nine News.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said on Aug 26 that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “forthright intervention” and his criticisms against Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state
“The relationship between this country and Australia was damaged, and so it’s welcome that after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s timely intervention that these actions have been taken by Australia’s government,” Mr Mencer told reporters.
Mr Netanyahu has personally attacked his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, describing him as “a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia’s Jews” over his decision to recognise a Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
“Complete nonsense,” Mr Burke said on Aug 27, when asked about Israel claiming credit for Australia’s decision to order Mr Sadeghi to leave the country.
“There was not a minute between us receiving this assessment and us starting to work through what we would do as a response.” REUTERS
