Second man charged in Sydney antisemitic vandalism case
A 19-year-old man has been charged over a series of antisemitic vandalism attacks in Woollahra in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, marking the second arrest in the case. The incidents, which targeted vehicles and buildings with offensive graffiti, occurred on Nov. 21 and caused nearly $100,000 in damages.
Thomas Stojanovski, of Arncliffe, was arrested at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 28, at a residence on Queen Street. He was taken to Kogarah Police Station, where he was charged with 21 offences. These include 14 counts of destroying or damaging property, entering buildings with the intent to commit an indictable offence, using fire to destroy property, behaving offensively in public, and disguising his identity to commit an offence.
Stojanovski appeared briefly at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday, where his case was adjourned to Friday, Nov. 29. He remains in custody after being denied bail.
The arrest follows the earlier apprehension of 20-year-old Mohommed Farhat, who was intercepted on Nov. 25 at Sydney International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Thailand. Farhat faces similar charges and remains in custody. Sky News reported that Farhat has a Hezbollah flag tattooed on the side of his neck along with another tattoo that is understood to be a reference to a terrorist symbol – the numbers “313”.
The incidents occurred in the early hours of Nov. 21, when emergency services were called to Wellington Street, Woollahra, to extinguish a car fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed, while nine other cars on Wellington, Tara, Fullerton, and Ocean streets were allegedly defaced with graffiti, including messages reading “f..k Israel.” Three buildings on Ocean Street and Fullerton Street, including chef Matt Moran’s Chiswick restaurant, were also targeted.
Community leaders and government officials have condemned the acts, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating, “There is no place for anti-Semitism in Australia.”
Strike Force Mylor, which is investigating the case, continues its inquiries. Police have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
