By Ashley Geelan, with Kaitlyn Offer, Holly Hales and Melissa Meehan for AAP/Wires.
Victorian and Australian Federal Police (AFP) today confirmed that the Adass Israel Synagogue fire in Ripponlea last week has been deemed a terrorist attack.
The joint management team from Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police met with the Australian Security Intelligence Agency (ASIO) this morning and made the determination.
The investigation now formally transitions from Victoria Police’s Arson and Explosives Squad to the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT).
The JCTT involves members from Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO,
They will be supported by detectives from Victoria Police’s Arson and Explosives Squad.
Witnesses told police that a number of offenders entered the synagogue and poured liquid on the floor before setting it alight.
The offenders were disturbed by a man attending the synagogue and subsequently fled the scene.
It’s believed three offenders were present at the time of the fire.
The man who witnessed the incident sustained minor injuries to his hand. He received medical treatment at the scene.
A second man attending the synagogue was not injured.
No one else was inside the premises at the time.
The Adass Israel Synagogue subsequently sustained significant damage as a result of the fire.
Police are still working to establish the exact circumstances of the fire and treating it as a targeted incident.
The motivation for the fire remains unclear.
Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad initially attended the scene along with an arson chemist.
They have been working with the Security Investigation Unit from Victoria Police’s Counter Terrorism Command and the Australian Federal Police.
A significant canvas for CCTV and other footage has taken place in the area since the incident occurred, however, if there is anyone who may have CCTV or dash cam footage from the morning of the fire and is yet to speak to police, then we ask them to contact us as soon as possible.
Investigators continue reviewing footage from the area hoping it may provide further avenues of enquiry.
Police have not established any links to further matters and are treating the fire as an isolated incident.
Officers are continuing to patrol the area and are working with the synagogue and Jewish community to provide further reassurance to the community.
Anyone with information about the Ripponlea fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
National Security Hotline 1800 123 400.
