Mohamed Ilyess Akodad, 20, was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of probation at the Montreal courthouse for firebombing a synagogue in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and damaging a nearby Jewish community center, according to Quebec’s Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions. With time served, he has 127 days left to serve.
Synagogue Firebombing Details and Court Sentencing
The charges against Akodad stem from a Dec. 18, 2024 fire at the Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue in the West Island Montreal suburb. According to officials, the blaze caused broken glass, smoke damage, and a damaged door. A nearby glass door at Federation CJA, a Jewish community organization, was also smashed during the incident.
The attack drew widespread condemnation across Canada. Then-prime minister Justin Trudeau called it “a vile antisemitic attack against Montreal’s Jewish community.” Law enforcement subsequently arrested Akodad in April 2025, and he entered a guilty plea in January.
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In June, Akodad told Quebec Court Judge Karine Giguère that he had been offered $15,000 at a party to set fire to two buildings and a car, claiming during proceedings that he was unaware the structures were connected to the Jewish community.
Legal Defense Perspective and Community Reaction
Defense lawyer Nazar Saaty addressed the outcome outside the courtroom on Thursday. He acknowledged that the penalty was “not a light sentence” while recognizing the broader impact of the crime on local residents. “Even if my client didn’t know, there is a symbolic impact and I can understand the judgement … even though that’s not what we would’ve asked,” Saaty stated. He added that his client understood the court’s decision.
Meanwhile, Jewish advocacy organizations emphasized that the legal proceedings must move forward. In a joint statement, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and Federation CJA indicated that the sentence proves the justice system “recognizes the serious consequences of these acts on the Jewish community.”
Ongoing Investigation into Unidentified Organizers
While welcoming the ruling as an important step, representatives from CIJA and Federation CJA stressed that law enforcement agencies need to press forward with their inquiries. “The masterminds who orchestrated and financed this crime have still not been identified or arrested,” the organizations noted in their official statement.
Investigators have not yet publicly named any other suspects linked to the financial backing or planning of the Dec. 18 arson attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Mohamed Ilyess Akodad sentenced to?
Akodad received a two-year prison sentence followed by three years of probation, with 127 days remaining to serve based on time already spent in custody.
Which buildings were damaged in the Dollard-des-Ormeaux attack?
The Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue suffered fire, smoke, and structural damage, while a nearby glass door at Federation CJA was smashed.
Have other suspects been arrested in connection with the firebombing?
According to Jewish community groups like CIJA and Federation CJA, the organizers and financiers behind the crime have not yet been identified or arrested.
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