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Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Perth Now
Synagogue firebombing accused named
A man accused of firebombing the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's east has faced court for the first time. Giovanni Laulu, 21, appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, on a series of state and federal charges. The prosecution sought 12 weeks before his next hearing due on the federal charge to a 'very intensive investigation' including 11 mobile phones in need of analysis that would delay the preparation of a brief. He appeared in the dock wearing a long sleeve black shirt, and sported a thin moustache and small beard. Mr Laulu was arrested on Wednesday. Victoria Police. Credit: Supplied Mr Laulu has been charged with three offences: arson, recklessly engaging in conduct that placed people inside in danger of death and vehicle theft. He did not seek bail, and will remain in custody. Counter-terror police release footage of masked suspects pouring accelerant and igniting a fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's southeast. The attack is being treated as politically motivated. Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephanie Groom (centre) leaves the Melbourne Magistrates' Court following the filing hearing. Liam Beatty/ NewsWire. Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Laulu was arrested on Wednesday 30 July as part of a series of co-ordinated raids across Melbourne's suburbs. Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO investigators alleged he was one of three individuals who set fire to the synagogue in Ripponlea on 6 December last year. The early-morning fire tore through the synagogue, causing damage to the $20 million building and devastating sacred texts. The Adass Israel Synagogue received an outpouring of support from the local community. NewsWire /David Geraghty Credit: News Corp Australia CCTV released from the incident earlier this year showed three people smash into the building, one holding a red jerry can, before the building was set alight. The individuals arrived at the scene in a blue VW Golf, which police previously alleged was a 'communal crime car' used in a series of unrelated attacks, including at the Lux nightclub in South Yarra. The police investigation remains ongoing as investigators seek to make further arrests. Mr Laulu's state charges will next be heard in the Werribee Magistrates Court on 6 August, while his Commonwealth charges will be heard on 4 December for a committal mention. He will appear via video link at those hearings.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Adass Israel Synagogue arson: Melbourne man, 21, arrested in police probe over synagogue fire
A young Melbourne man is expected to be charged with arson offences in connection with a fire attack on a synagogue. Police swooped on the 21-year-old from Werribee as part of a co-ordinated raid across Melbourne on Wednesday. In a joint statement between Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, investigators said it will be alleged the man was one of three individuals who set fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6 last year. According to the statement, officers from the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team executed seven search warrants on Wednesday, seizing various items including electronic devices. CCTV released by police in May this year captured three individuals smash their way into the building, one holding a red jerry can, before the building was set alight. The 4.10am fire caused significant damage to the Ripponlea building and damaged sacred texts. Police on Wednesday also released 53-seconds of footage of the Werribee man being led handcuffed from a exposed brick home to the back of a police car — seemingly before dawn. AFP Deputy Commissioner National Security Krissy Barrett said investigators were continuing to probe the incident as a suspected 'politically motivated crime'. 'This crime was despicable as it was dangerous, and it is important to acknowledge that this was not just an arson on a synagogue,' she said. 'The effect of this crime has rippled through a community that continues to be targeted by criminals. We will not stand for this, and I want to reassure the public that this is not just a priority investigation for the JCTT, but also for the AFP. 'I want to thank the Jewish community across Australia, and in particular, the Adass Israel Synagogue congregation, for their stoicism, patience, and the support they have shown the JCTT.' Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said police would remain 'relentless' in pursuing and holding those involved to account. 'Victoria Police has seen first-hand the impact this incident has had in the Victorian community – the fear and distress a crime like this can cause,' he said. 'People deserve to be safe and feel safe, particularly when it comes to their places of worship. This is not negotiable in any way. 'We remain committed to identifying all those who seek to cause this kind of fear and harm, and ensuring they are brought to justice.' The man is the second person arrested over the arson, with a Williamstown man, 20, charged on July 17 over his alleged role in the theft of a blue VW Golf linked to the fire. Police say further arrests and charges are expected soon. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion KC said the arrest brings 'some long-awaited comfort and reassurance' to the Jewish community. 'It is ominous that police are continuing to treat the despicable firebombing of the Adass synagogue as politically motivated,' he said. 'We thank the police for their painstaking efforts to date and hope that further arrests will be made in the near future so that all the offenders including the masterminds are swiftly brought to justice. Only then will a deterrent be established against this sort of chilling behaviour.'
STV News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- STV News
Two women die and teen girl injured after crash between cars and lorry
Two women have died and a teenage girl has been airlifted to hospital after a crash involving two cars and a lorry on the A96 in Moray. Emergency services were called to a collision around 3.05pm on Monday involving two cars and a HGV at the junction of Kinloss Road in Forres. Two women, aged 48 and 56, travelling in a black coloured Vauxhall Mokka, died at the scene. A 15-year-old passenger in the same car was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she is being treated for her injuries. The driver of the HGV and occupants of the VW Golf were uninjured. The A96 at Forres is expected to remain closed for several hours, and members of the public are advised to avoid the area. Sergeant Lesley Morrison at Road Policing in Elgin said: 'We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this tragic crash or anyone who has dashcam footage of it.' Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Road Policing at Elgin via 101, quoting incident number 2003 of Monday, July 28, 2025. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
A96 reopens following fatal crash
Around 3.05pm, a collision involving two cars and a HGV occurred on the A96 at the junction of Kinloss Road, Forres. Two women, aged 48 and 56, who were travelling in a black coloured Vauxhall Mokka died at the scene. Read More A 15-year-old passenger in this car was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she is being treated for her injuries. The driver of the HGV and occupants of the VW Golf were physically uninjured. Sergeant Lesley Morrison at Road Policing in Elgin said: 'We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this tragic crash or anyone who has dashcam footage of it.' Anyone with information should contact police at Road Policing at Elgin via 101 quoting incident number 2003 of Monday, 28 July 2025.
The National
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The National
2 dead after third fatal A96 collision in under two weeks
The women, aged 48 and 56, were travelling in a Vauxhall Mokka when it was involved in a crash with a lorry and a VW Golf on Kinloss Road in Forres at around 15:05 on Monday. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene. A 15-year-old girl, also in the Vauxhall, was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with injuries. The lorry driver and the occupants of the VW Golf were not hurt. This latest incident follows the death of Alison Campbell, 65, from Caithness, who died on July 22 in a collision involving a car and a tipper van near Inverness Airport. READ MORE: Donald Trump to meet John Swinney and open new golf course on final day in Scotland Just days earlier, on July 18, a 50-year-old woman died in hospital after a two-car crash at Newton of Perry, also near Inverness. The day before that incident, an 18-year-old motorcyclist was injured in a separate crash with a car near Auldern. Police Scotland confirmed the A96 was closed for several hours following the most recent incident. Sgt Lesley Morrison of Road Policing in Elgin said to the BBC: "We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this tragic crash or anyone who has dashcam footage of it." The A96, which links [[Inverness]] and Aberdeen, crosses large stretches of rural farmland. It consists mostly of single carriageway, with occasional dualled sections and crawler lanes. Plans to fully dual the 86-mile (138km) route were shelved last year despite a 2011 commitment. However, following a recent consultation by Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government has said that full dualling between Aberdeen and Inverness remains its "current favoured position".
