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Crime Beat

Teen back in court in relation to Montreal synagogue firebombing

Published: 

A police car sits outside Congregation Beth Tikvah as police investigate alleged arson at the synagogue in the suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux in Montreal on Wednesday, Dec.18, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

A 19-year-old man is due back in court Thursday in connection with the December firebombing of a Montreal-area synagogue.

Mohamed Ilyess Akodad has pleaded not guilty to two arson-related charges, two counts of attempted arson, one count of destruction of property and one count of possession of incendiary material.

His appearance at the Montreal courthouse is for lawyers and the judge to discuss next steps.

The charges relate to a Dec. 18 fire at the Congregation Beth Tikvah in the Montreal suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO).

The fire caused minor damage to the synagogue.

Police also found a smashed glass door at the nearby offices of a Jewish community group.

The incident was widely condemned and then-prime minister Justin Trudeau called it a vile antisemitic attack against Montreal’s Jewish community.