Police zero in on second man over synagogue attack

Source: NSW Police
A man arrested over synagogue fire and graffiti attack will face court as police flag another imminent arrest.
Newtown Synagogue, in Sydney’s inner-west, was spray-painted with red Nazi swastikas and briefly set alight early on January 11.
It was one of a series of recent cases in which Jewish facilities and communities have been targeted in arson and graffiti attacks, sparking a major police investigation involving state and federal officers.
A 33-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday night over the Newtown incident. He was initially taken to hospital before being transported to a police station and held overnight after being denied bail.
He was expected to face Sydney’s Downing Centre local court on Wednesday, charged with two arson and property damage-related offences, as well as possessing suspected stolen goods and cultivating a prohibited plant.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said a second man was expected to be arrested soon in relation to the same incident.
“The arrest this morning is 11 days on from that incident, with very, very little information other than a very hazy CCTV image,” she said.
“We’ve worked backwards from that, tirelessly, methodically and now we have someone before the court and a second offender we are currently searching for.”

Police say they expect to make a second arrest over this synagogue vandalism. Photo: AAP
It came after Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw said on Tuesday that the force was probing 15 serious attacks since December and was considering whether overseas actors or individuals paid local criminals to carry out some of the crimes.
“We are looking at if – or how – they have been paid, for example in cryptocurrency, which can take longer to identify,” he said.
On Wednesday, Kershaw said whether the people responsible were “in Australia or offshore”, and their motivation, was still being investigated.
“These investigative lines of inquiry are looking at whether some individuals have been paid to carry out some antisemitic acts in Australia. We believe criminals for hire may be behind some incidents. So part of our inquiries include who is paying those criminals,” he said.
“We are not ready to rule anything or in or out.”
Webb would not be drawn on motive in the latest case before the court.
“We can’t rule anything out anything and we need to keep an open mind, which we are doing,” she said.
Following the attack, police released images of two hooded figures they believed may have been involved. One they said was riding a mountain bike and the other a motorised scooter.
The offenders ignited a clear liquid that burned out in minutes. It could have had deadly consequences if it had taken hold, Webb said at the time.
Strike force detectives raided two properties in Camperdown, not far from the synagogue, seizing items for further examination in the process.
The allegations against the 33-year-old and others charged over separate incidents carry heavy penalties. Charges could also potentially be upgraded to include terrorism offences, Webb said.
The man is the ninth person charged under Strike Force Pearl, which was formed by NSW Police to investigate the recent spate of antisemitic attacks.
The number of detectives working full-time on the strike force has been increased to 40.
NSW Premier Chris Minns labelled the latest arrest a “big breakthrough”, adding hate crimes would not be tolerated in Sydney and police resources would be available to catch those responsible.
Source: AAP
PM won’t detail overseas terror claims
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rebuffed calls to release more detail on the claims locals are being paid from overseas to carry out antisemitic attacks.
“I’m reluctant to say anything that compromises those investigations, but it is important that people understand where some of these attacks are coming from,” he said in Sydney on Wednesday.
“It would appear, as the AFP commissioner said yesterday, that some of these are being perpetrated by people who don’t have a particular issue, aren’t motivated by an ideology, but are paid actors.”
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said the public was entitled to further detail on the “gravely serious” claim, and how the government was responding.
“Now to put claims like that out … would make it the most serious domestic security crisis in peacetime in Australia’s history, and will cause incredible alarm within the Jewish community,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
“A lot more information is required about this claim, and a lot more comfort, and needs to be given about what is being done in response to it. You cannot put information out this partially, as has been done so far.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has repeatedly criticised the government for its handling of antisemitism. He wants those who commit terrorism offences or display hate symbols to be sentenced to mandatory jail time, despite concerns from legal experts.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has noted that Australia has international human rights obligations to promote equality and freedom from discrimination and protect freedom of expression.
-with AAP