Man charged with hate crime after Brisbane Synagogue targeted in alleged ramming incident
A man has been charged with a hate crime after he was allegedly targeted in a Brisbane synagogue ramming incident.
The Brisbane Synagogue on Margaret Street was allegedly hit by a Toyota Hilux vehicle shortly after 7pm on Friday.
A Queensland Police spokesman said the gates were destroyed before the car left the scene.
The ute was found a short time later and a 32-year-old Sunnybank man was charged with willful harm, serious defamation or hate crime, dangerous driving, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of utensils or pipes etc for use. He was charged with possession.
He is due to appear in a Queensland court on Saturday.
Police believe the man acted alone.
“Investigations are ongoing, but it is believed the man acted alone and there is no ongoing threat to the community,” a Queensland police spokesman said.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli earlier said in a post on social media that a car crashed into the front door of a synagogue on Friday.
“This will be very sad for the Jewish community in Queensland,” Mr Crisafulli said on channel X.
“I have spoken to the police as well as Jewish leaders and I want to reassure the people of Queensland that we are taking this seriously.
“This is another signal of why we are putting strong legislation before Parliament to protect all people where they worship.
“We are going through the process and I fully intend for these to be passed in the next session of Parliament.”
More to come…
