Puppet in arson bid on Jewish deli 'not anti-Semitic'

A lackey ordered to firebomb a Jewish deli was not acting out of anti-Semitic hatred when he carried out the attack, believed to be linked to Iran, a judge has found.

Juon Majok Mali Amuoi, 28, appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday to be jailed for eight months over his role in an attempted arson attack at the Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Bondi on October 15, 2024.

The 28-year-old and his accomplice Wayne Dean Ogden were accused of taking directions to commit the failed firebombing from alleged mastermind Sayed Mohammed Moowasi, who is a member of Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Group.

Amuoi took a sledgehammer to the arson bid before attending a meeting about completing the job the following day.

He eventually pleaded guilty to being armed with the intention of committing an indictable offence.

Though Judge Jillian Kiely acknowledged the ant-Semitic crime was designed to attack the Jewish owners, she found Amuoi did not share those same motivations.

"There is no evidence he was acting with any anti-Semitic views in mind or that he was aware this was the intention," she told the court.

The deli was eventually firebombed on October 20 in a hit that caused extensive damage, but Amuoi is not alleged to have been involved.

The federal government in August revealed Iran had been behind the attack on Lewis' Continental Kitchen and another firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, prompting them to expel the Iranian ambassador from Australia.

Iran has denied the allegations.

But Amuoi's lawyer Upol Amin added there was also no evidence or suggestion he was an agent for the Iranian embassy and said he was acting "out of need rather than greed".

The 28-year-old moved to Australia with his sister as a refugee after losing their mother and facing abusive treatment under their father and step-mother.

He later lost his job and began accruing debt to his housemate after he became reliant on them to pay the rent, the court was told.

The housemate, who Mr Amin said was "not regarded as good company", soon introduced Amuoi to drugs and and employed him as a mule in a syndicate to pay off his debt.

Amuoi has since cut off all ties with this housemate and others involved in the attempted firebombing, the court was told.

He is also trying to stay away from drugs and is now living with his sister and her family.

Since he had already spent nine months in prison after his bail was initially refused, the sentence imposed on Wednesday will not require him to spend any more time behind bars.