The Australian Federal Police has prioritized the capture of a man believed to be collaborating with foreign operatives in the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne.

In her inaugural major address as commissioner, Krissy Barrett highlighted the increasing risk posed by foreign nations and criminal entities seeking to challenge Australia’s democratic integrity and social unity.

“We suspect an individual, implicated in several tobacco-related arson incidents across Australia, is also involved in the politically charged arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue,” Barrett explained during her speech at the National Press Club.

She emphasized that this individual is her “top priority” as part of efforts to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.

“This person presents a national security risk to Australia,” Barrett stated emphatically.

“Of all the alleged criminals accused of threatening Australia, he is my number one priority, and I have tasked my most experienced criminal hunters to target him.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced late in August that Iran was behind at least two antisemitic attacks in Australia, including the firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6, which gutted the building and rocked Melbourne’s Jewish community.

Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, this week named Sardar Amar as the man who planned the antisemitic attacks in Australia, as well as Greece and Germany.

Amar is a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the leader of an estimated 11,000 operatives.

“Under Amar’s command, a significant mechanism was established to promote attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets both in Israel and abroad,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Three local men, aged between 20 and 21, have been charged over last year’s firebombing in Melbourne.

Two men are alleged to have set the synagogue alight, while the third is accused of stealing and driving a car involved in the attack.