Iran linked to Melbourne synagogue arson through money trail – Australia spy agency
Australia’s spy agencies have traced financial links between Iran and the men accused of setting fire to a Melbourne synagogue last December, officials revealed, raising concerns about Tehran’s covert operations on Australian soil.
Younes Ali Younes, a 20-year-old Melbourne resident, appeared in Magistrates Court on Monday facing charges of arson over the attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea on Dec. 6, as well as theft of a vehicle allegedly used in the incident. He did not enter a plea, nor did he seek bail. His lawyer declined to comment.
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess said investigators uncovered a network of intermediaries, known as “cut outs” in intelligence terms, used to conceal Iran’s involvement.
“This was not ordinary criminal activity,” Burgess said, warning that similar operations could have been attempted elsewhere in the country.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament the probe traced funds both domestically and internationally, funneled through “petty and sometimes not so petty criminals” to support the attack.
The investigation intensified after Australian Federal Police and ASIO seized mobile phones and digital devices from suspects in Victoria.
Authorities also linked a stolen blue Volkswagen Golf to the synagogue attack, which CCTV footage shows being driven by three hooded figures. The video captures one of them wielding an axe while pouring fuel on the building before fleeing.
Victoria’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team alleges Younes stole the vehicle and “recklessly endangered lives” by setting fire to the A$20 million synagogue while people were inside.
No injuries were reported. A co-accused, Giovanni Laulu, 21, appeared in court last month on similar charges. Police described the vehicle as a “communal crime car” connected to other unrelated incidents.
Albanese said the Melbourne attack, along with a previous arson in Sydney, had been directed by the Iranian government.
DAILY POST had reported that Canberra, in response, expelled Tehran’s ambassador, joining a growing list of Western nations condemning Iran’s covert operations abroad.
Iran linked to Melbourne synagogue arson through money trail – Australia spy agency
