Police are currently investigating the devices taken from Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old man accused of igniting a fire at a synagogue in East Melbourne, to ascertain the motive for his actions. Loras appeared via video link from prison in Melbourne Magistrates Court, looking downcast in a white T-shirt, with a beard and long hair.
He faces multiple charges stemming from the fire that occurred on July 4, which allegedly forced about 20 individuals inside the synagogue to evacuate. The charges include reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire, and possession of a controlled weapon.
During the brief court session, Loras’s defence lawyer contested the release of a summary document related to the case, citing several points of contention with the prosecution. Defence attorney Ben McGrath expressed hope that the investigation would conclude by September, implying that ongoing developments might affect the case’s trajectory.
Magistrate Malcolm Thomas inquired about the possibility of the case escalating to a jury trial in a higher court, a notion that was supported by police prosecutor Anthony Albore. He indicated that the examination of the electronic devices seized could unveil evidence, potentially clarifying the motive behind Loras’s alleged crime. Such evidence could also mean that the case might be transferred to a higher jurisdiction.
Loras is scheduled to return to court on September 12. This incident is part of a worrying trend of anti-Semitism in Melbourne, which has included a protest at an Israeli restaurant on July 5. In December, a fire had previously damaged the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, leading to a separate investigation. Although a 20-year-old was charged with car theft that counter-terrorism police claim is linked to that incident, no charges have been laid regarding the Adass firebombing.
The safety of the community and the implications of such actions continue to be a pressing concern for both authorities and the public.