Man charged with hate crime after ramming gates of Brisbane synagogue

Police have charged a man after a Toyota Hilux utility was used to ram the gates of a synagogue on Margaret Street in Brisbane’s CBD shortly after 7pm on Friday. The driver fled the scene but was taken into custody a short time later. No one was injured. A 32-year-old Sunnybank man was expected to appear before the Brisbane magistrates court on Saturday.

He has been charged with wilful damage, serious vilification or hate crime, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and drug possession offences. Queensland police Acting Supt Michael Hogan said the attack was targeted at the synagogue but is not being considered a terrorist act, and that specialist counter-terrorism officers were involved from the start.

He added police are considering the man’s mental health and intoxication as contributing factors. CCTV footage shows a person inside the grounds jumping backwards as the ute struck the gates, and investigators say they believe the driver did not intend to enter the synagogue.

Australia, Brisbane

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