Charges after imitation pistol pointed at synagogue

A lawsuit was filed against two people who allegedly pointed a fake gun at people gathered in front of the synagogue.

Police were called to Chabad Double Bay in Sydney on Saturday after reports that a man in a car was pointing what appeared to be a gun at a congregation in front of the building.

Officers followed the car to Kings Cross, where they arrested two men and searched their car, allegedly finding an imitation firearm.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chairman of the Executive Council of Australian Jews, said it was disturbing that the alleged incident occurred just months after an armed massacre targeting the Jewish community.

“Threatening and intimidating Jews to make them laugh. Congratulations on the swift action of the police,” Mr. Ryvchin said.

A 22-year-old was charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit a criminal offence, possessing a handgun without a permit and stalking.

A 25-year-old man was charged with possession of an unregistered handgun.

The couple were denied bail to appear in court on Sunday.

Chabad Double Bay is part of the same broader organization as Chabad Bondi, which organized the Hannukah event that was targeted by gunmen in the Bondi Massacre in December.

During the violent attack, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram allegedly killed 15 people.

Sajid was shot dead by police and his son faces 79 charges, including murder and a charge of committing an act of terrorism, in connection with the December 14 incident.