Kochi synagogue arson accused under probe for suspected international terror links

The Kochi city police are investigating suspected international terror links to an arson attack near a synagogue in Ernakulam market, with a 30-year-old man arrested within hours of the incident, officials said on Wednesday.

The police suspect the accused, Ebin Paul, a native of Puthencruz near here, may have acted on the instructions of a person he referred to as "Boss". The incident occurred at 2.30am on Monday, when a fire was set at Blossom Nursery in front of the Kadavubhagam synagogue at the Ernakulam market. The police said the accused arrived in a blue Maruti Suzuki Ignis, poured petrol on the premises of the nursery, set fire and recorded the incident on his phone before fleeing in his car.

A preliminary examination of his mobile phone allegedly revealed communications with individuals suspected of having foreign links and members of various online groups, besides messages referring to Jewish places of worship and possible attacks in different cities across the country, the police said.

"We examined available footage from surrounding areas and traced the car and its owner. But after checking his mobile phone, it was found that the suspect had foreign links and was part of an organised international network. A person named Boss had asked the suspect whether it was possible to commit arson at the synagogue and he received cryptocurrency payments for the act. Ebin had pursued a fashion design course in Pune and later worked in the IT sector in Bengaluru. After the pandemic, he had mostly been confined to his home and takes drugs," said Anish Joy, the station house officer of Ernakulam Central police station.

The police also have evidence that Ebin had carried out a similar attack in Muvattupuzha a few years ago. The suspect has confessed to the police about his role in the Muvattupuzha attack.