<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are searching devices seized from a man accused of setting fire to a synagogue to find his motive for the alleged attack.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Angelo Loras, 34, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court today after being charged over the alleged firebombing at an East Melbourne synagogue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The NSW man looked down for much of the short hearing where he appeared via video link from prison wearing a white T-shirt with a beard and long hair.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/four-day-work-week-improves-worker-happiness-confidence-study-finds/7695eef3-c897-4264-868a-2aab865eafa3" target="_blank"><strong><span>New international study says four-day work week makes healthier, happier, more productive workers</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Loras has been charged with multiple offences over the fire at East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on July 4, which allegedly forced a group of about 20 people inside the building to flee.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His charges include reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon, police have said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Loras' lawyer told the court today there were several issues defence disputed with prosecution, as he opposed release of a summary document.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/police-search-for-accused-synagogue-arsonists-motive/0b01b190-f2a7-42cb-b2a0-3e2ae26e5de4" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is ongoing investigation of this matter, you'd hope by September that investigation has been complete," defence lawyer Ben Mcgrath said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Magistrate Malcolm Thomas asked prosecutors if there was a chance the matter could go to trial before a jury in a higher court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-plane-crash-oakey/9cf653a4-c84b-4c21-926c-ae00e4c949b8" target="_blank"><strong><span>Pilots identified as investigators comb through wreckage of light plane crash</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police prosecutor Anthony Albore said that was "certainly a possibility" as he flagged two electronic devices seized by officers needed to be interrogated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Particularly if there is evidence obtained form those devices, that may establish a motive to this particular crime," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That may take this matter out of this honourable jurisdiction."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Loras will next face the court on September 12.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The synagogue fire is one of several recent alleged acts of anti-Semitism across Melbourne, including a protest incident at Israeli restaurant Miznon on July 5.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In December, fire tore through Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A 20-year-old man was charged with car theft on July 17, which counter-terrorism police alleged was linked to that blaze.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, no one has been charged with carrying out the Adass firebombing.</span></div></div>