FREDERIC SERRE
The 1510 West

An east-end Montreal man will remain behind bars until late July, when he will return to court for his trial in connection to the firebombing of a Dollard des Ormeaux synagogue last December.

The decision to hold 19-year-old Mohamed Ilyess Akodad in custody was made last week by Quebec Court Judge Salvatore Mascia, the same day Crown prosecutor Marie-Claude Bourassa said she will present additional evidence against Akodad.

Akodad is charged with deliberately setting fire to the Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue on Westpark Street early on Dec. 18 by allegedly tossing a Molotov cocktail through a window of the building’s vestibule. Police and firefighters were called to the scene at about 3 a.m. and quickly extinguished the blaze.

An investigation by the Montreal Police arson squad led to the arrest of Akodad in April at his residence in Anjou and the seizure of various incendiary devices. The man is charged with arson, attempted arson, destruction of property and possession of incendiary materials. He has pleaded not guilty.