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Police are searching for the culprits behind the repeated fire-bombing of an Islamic community centre in Melbourne's north, which was tagged with the words "Islamic State" in December.
Detectives from the arson and explosives squad are trying to identify three men believed to be behind fires at the Imam Islamic Centre in Fawkner on May 15, November 25 and December 11 last year.
CCTV: Fawkner Islamic community centre fire-bombing
Police are searching for the culprits behind the repeated fire-bombing of an Islamic community centre in Melbourne's north, which was tagged with the words "Islamic State" in December.
Lord mayor Robert Doyle says protesters who targeted him and his family at their home have crossed the line but the group of homeless activists plan to escalate their fight against the city of Melbourne.
A major fire at a Coolaroo recycling plant that sent acrid black smoke across parts of the city has been brought under control since this earlier report. (Video courtesy: ABC News 24)
A smoke warning has been issued as a huge fire burns out of control at a Coolaroo recycling plant in Melbourne's north. (Vision courtesy: Seven News Melbourne)
CCTV: Fawkner Islamic community centre fire-bombing
Police are searching for the culprits behind the repeated fire-bombing of an Islamic community centre in Melbourne's north, which was tagged with the words "Islamic State" in December.
The first two deliberately lit fires caused minor damage. The most recent fire, carried out using accelerant and car tyres in December, gutted the building.
Before the fire was started, closed circuit footage shows three men wearing dark clothing and hooded jumpers scrawl "The Islamic State" in English and "The State the Islam" in Arabic on the outside of the building.
Iman Ali Islamic Centre in Fawkner was destroyed by fire Photo: Justin McManus
Mosques and Islamic community centres have been targets of repeated attacks by far-right groups across Australia. Detectives were also expected to examine sectarian tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Melbourne.
On the day of the December fire, a community member told Fairfax Media the graffiti was a ruse to distract investigators.
"I can tell you it has absolutely nothing to do with Islamic State, and I hope the media and everyone else don't allow themselves to be manipulated. We have a very good idea who's behind this," the man said.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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