Suspected arsonist appears in court over Melbourne synagogue fire that shocked the nation

A suspected arsonist accused of destroying a Melbourne synagogue has appeared in court seven months after the crime shocked the nation. Giovanni Laulu appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday after his arrest Wednesday. Police allege the 21-year-old is one of three masked men who set the Adass Israel Synagogue on fire in December. Laulu is the first suspect caught, but police expect more arrests. Laulu did not enter pleas or apply to be released on bai. Prosecutors sought 12 weeks to gather evidence against Laulu. The federal government has committed $20 million to rebuild the synagogue.