Oldham man on arson charges

AN OLDHAM man working as a bartender in Crete has appeared in a Greek court in connection with an arson attack on a synagogue.

Craig Forsyth (23), from Oldham, was arrested with fellow nightclub barman Ricky Bryan (33), from Manchester, last Thursday in the coastal town of Hania, on the Greek island of Crete.

The men, along with a 24-year-old Greek man, were arrested on charges of arson against the medieval Etz-Hayyim synagogue.

The island’s only Jewish place of worship has twice been targeted by arsonists this month.
The first attack happened on January 5 but the second attack on January 16 caused extensive damage to the synagogue’s interior and roof.

Office equipment was destroyed and the fire caused damage to the archive of 1,600 rare books and manuscripts. Police said the British men were arrested after a 24-year-old Greek man confessed. Bryan is accused of being the perpetrator of the attack, which he denies.

Forsyth, along with the Greek man, are alleged to have kept watch on the synagogue during the attack.

An American man believed to be an English teacher has been arrested in connection with the attack, and another American is also being sought.

The Foreign Office confirmed two British men were arrested on January 21 in Hania and were receiving the appropriate consular assistance.