A 45-year-old man has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at a former synagogue in east London. Moses Edwards, from Wanstead, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday in connection with the alleged arson attack on the building located on Nelson Street in Whitechapel, which occurred on 5 May.
According to police reports, the incident took place shortly after 5am, resulting in minor damage to the gates and a lock at the front of the property. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The building is currently in the process of being sold to a Muslim organisation, which plans to convert it into a mosque and community centre.
This event is part of a series of separate alleged arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London over the past two months. In a related development, a 52-year-old woman who was also arrested during the investigation has been released on bail until a date in August. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding these incidents.
