Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Security Investigation Unit have charged a man following a suspicious fire at a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night.
It is alleged the man was seen walking through Parliament Gardens before entering the grounds of the synagogue on Albert Street on 4 July about 8pm.
The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene on foot in a westerly direction along Albert Street.
There were approximately 20 people inside the synagogue at the time of the incident taking part in Shabbat.
Everyone inside self-evacuated through the rear of the building and were uninjured.
Firefighters extinguished the fire which was contained to the front entrance.
The 34-year-old Toongabbie man was arrested in the Melbourne CBD on Saturday evening about 8.15pm.
He was interviewed by detectives and charged with reckless conduct endanger life, reckless conduct endanger serious injury, criminal damage by fire, and possess a control weapon.
He will appear before the Bail and Remand Court today.
Detectives will continue to examine the intent and ideology of the person charged to determine if the incident is in fact terrorism.
Detectives are yet to establish any links to two additional incidents on Friday night; a public order incident in Melbourne's Hardware Lane and an arson attack and criminal damage to a business on Para Road, Greensborough, but will continue to make enquiries to determine any potential links.
