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A 20-year-old man who pleaded guilty to firebombing a synagogue in the West Island Montreal suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., and damaging a nearby Jewish community centre in December 2024, says the acts were driven by drug addiction rather than antisemitism.
Mohamed Ilyess Akodad’s sentencing hearing took place at the Montreal courthouse Tuesday.
The charges stem from a Dec. 18 fire at the Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue which caused minor damages.
At the time, police reported broken glass, smoke damage, and a damaged door, as well as a smashed glass door at the nearby offices of Federation CJA, a Jewish community organization.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, including from then prime minister Justin Trudeau, who called it “a vile antisemitic attack against Montreal’s Jewish community.”
Akodad faced two arson-related charges, two counts of attempted arson, one count of destruction of property, and one count of possession of incendiary materials. He was arrested in April 2025 and pleaded guilty in January.
On Tuesday, Akodad told Quebec Court Judge Karine Giguère that while at a party, he was offered a “mission” to set fire to two buildings and a car in exchange for $15,000.
He testified that minutes later, he spoke over the phone with someone he did not know, who promised to provide him with a driver and the “necessary materials.”
Akodad told the court that he was unaware the targets were linked to the Jewish community.
“I deserve to be severely punished, but after serving my sentence, I would like to go to the synagogue to explain myself,” Akodad said.
The accused added that he had consumed a large quantity of cannabis and codeine — his drugs of choice — that evening, noting he had developed an addiction to them.
‘I panicked,’ Akodad says
Several members of Montreal’s Jewish community attended the courtroom to testify about the lasting repercussions of the attack.
This marks the second time Congregation Beth Tikvah has been targeted in just a few years, said Hank Topas, a longtime member of the congregation.
“The level of fear has risen exponentially,” Topas told Giguère.
Topas asked the judge to hand down an exemplary sentence, saying that the accused poses a continuing threat to society.
“The justice system is the community’s last bastion of hope,” he said.
Arson was not Akodad’s first brush with the law. He admitted to previous shoplifting incidents and participating in car thefts, including one for which he was convicted in Ontario.
However, Akodad said he failed to actually start a fire at the community centre on Dec. 18, 2024.
“I panicked. I didn’t want to set the fire. I have never done that kind of thing. I’m not capable of doing that kind of thing,” Akodad said.
He claimed he ultimately refused to return and finish the job, which is why he never received the full payment promised by his handlers.
“They saw I wasn’t serious, and they blocked me,” he said.
Akodad reportedly received $3,000 for the crime.
The defence is suggesting a suspended sentence that includes four months of house arrest and numerous other conditions including reimbursement for the more than $7,000 in damages from the incidents.
The Crown is seeking a 24-month sentence, minus time served.
The judge will render a decision on Sept. 10.
