The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) yesterday released images of those believed responsible for the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack and other serious crimes in Victoria.
The public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or the National Security Hotline if they recognise individuals in the images or know anyone who had access to a blue VW Golf 2020 sedan during these offences.
The JCTT, which includes Victoria Police, AFP and ASIO, stated last year that the arson was likely a politically-motivated attack.
This remains the position of the JCTT, and the investigation remains a terrorism investigation.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Stephen Nutt said the investigation into the synagogue arson attack remained a priority for the JCTT.
Investigators have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and are releasing footage today to encourage members of the public, and those with knowledge of this crime, to come forward.
“Investigators have painstakingly poured over CCTV footage collected from more than 1400 locations to identify and track the actions of the alleged offenders,” Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
CCTV released yesterday shows the blue Golf sedan driving past the Adass Israel Synagogue multiple times on December 6, 2024 before parking outside the main entrance.
The footage shows three individuals dressed in hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the synagogue.
The footage shows at least two individuals commence pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance of the synagogue, before entering the building.
It shows the individuals make multiple trips to the Golf to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited.
The individuals fled the synagogue shortly after and drove away in the Golf towards the western suburbs.
“We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, and our terrorism investigation into their actions continues,” Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
The Golf is a stolen car that was also used in other offences before the synagogue arson, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and an arson and shooting that occurred in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue arson attack.
The Golf, which had cloned number plates, was seized by police last year.
The nightclub and shooting are being investigated by Victoria Police and are not considered politically-motivated attacks.
“I remind those involved that the penalty for terrorism is life imprisonment.
“There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key. We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information. Any small detail could be crucial.
“Now is also the time for people to speak up if they have information about who was involved with this offence and what their motivation was. We have said many times before, it is only luck that stands between a fire that damages a property and a fire that kills dozens of people. Fire is uncontrollable, and the sheer recklessness of this offending cannot be tolerated,” Assistant Commissioner Nutt said.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000, www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
