Counter-terrorism police have charged a third man over an arson attack that gutted a synagogue and sparked international outrage.

Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne’s south-east were destroyed in the blaze on December 6, 2024.

The fire quickly tore through the synagogue, engulfing it in flames and gutting two of its three buildings while worshippers were inside.

Two congregants preparing for morning prayers were forced to flee for their lives, with one suffering minor injuries.

Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police on Friday announced they had charged a 20-year-old Airport West man over the alleged arson attack.

That man will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with criminal damage by fire, conduct endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle.

Arson carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

Police will allege the Airport West man is one of three individuals who broke into the Ripponlea synagogue and deliberately set the fire.

Two others, a 20-year-old Melton South man and a 21-year-old Werribee man, have previously been charged over the blaze, and are already before the courts.

Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul O’Halloran said identifying those who are involved in antisemitic attacks remains a priority for the force.

“While over 18 months have passed since the fire at the Adass synagogue, we have remained firmly focused on ensuring those who bring harm to our community are put before the court,” O’Halloran said on Friday.

“It’s clear these incidents are designed to create fear and distress, when people of all faiths and backgrounds deserve to feel safe in our state.

“I want to reassure the public again that these investigations remain a priority for Victoria Police and to thank the Jewish community for their assistance and support thus far.”

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier described the attack as “deplorable”, saying the AFP, together with Victoria Police and ASIO, remained laser focused on identifying those responsible for the attack on the Jewish community and to prosecute those involved.

“We can reveal that we believe some individuals have actively lied to the JCTT (Joint Counter Terrorism Team), likely in an attempt to hinder our investigation,” he said,

“Let me be very clear. You will not obstruct justice. Now is the time for you to come forward and do the right thing.”

Plans are under way to rebuild the synagogue, which holds deep spiritual and sentimental significance for its community in Melbourne’s south-east.

The doors of the temple in Ripponlea are expected to remain closed until at least 2029.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the rebuild would ultimately make the community “better and stronger”.

At the time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared he believed the arson attack was an act of terrorism, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced it as an “abhorrent act of antisemitism”.

Counter-terrorism police suspect overseas and local criminals worked together on the synagogue arson, and remain confident of further arrests and charges.

–AAP