Story perspectives

Man Charged in Melbourne Synagogue Arson; PM Accuses Iran

6/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Victoria Police charged a 20-year-old man on 19 June 2026 with arson, endangering life and theft for the 6 December 2024 fire at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue.
Operation Hilfield, run by the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, deployed over 200 officers who logged over 50,000 investigative hours.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of directing the attack, a claim Iran denied, leading to the expulsion of Iranian diplomats.

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Story summary

Victoria Police charged a 20-year-old man on 19 June 2026 with arson, endangering life and theft for the 6 December 2024 fire at Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue.
Operation Hilfield, run by the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, deployed over 200 officers who logged over 50,000 investigative hours.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of directing the attack, a claim Iran denied, leading to the expulsion of Iranian diplomats.