{
  "id": 14420462,
  "title": "Kerala synagogue arson case: Police probe foreign links, crypto payments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/kerala-synagogue-arson-case-police-probe-foreign-links-crypto-payments",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-14T09:23:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/kerala-synagogue-arson-case-police-probe-foreign-links-crypto-payments-1.500710159"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Investigators in Kerala, India are probing potential foreign terrorism ties and cryptocurrency payments following an arson attack on a nursery near a Jewish synagogue in Kochi. The 32-year-old suspect, Ebin Paul, was apprehended within hours of the October 12 incident at Blossom Nursery, located near Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam Market. Police discovered suspicious messages on his phone referencing Jewish places of worship and potential attacks in various Indian cities, as well as communications with individuals believed to have foreign links. Authorities suspect Paul may have been following orders from someone he called his \"boss,\" who supposedly assigned targets and promised payments for carrying out attacks and recording videos. Police are investigating whether the suspect received payments through cryptocurrency and if the arson attack was part of a larger conspiracy. The suspect allegedly drove to the nursery in a blue car around 2:30 AM and set it on fire before fleeing, leaving behind a recorded video of the incident. Kochi City Police treated the incident as a potential security threat due to the proximity of the nursery to the synagogue. Despite initial difficulties with non-functioning CCTV cameras, investigators traced the blue car and eventually arrested Paul at a rented house in Puthencruz. The investigation has expanded to include Paul's alleged involvement in a previous arson attack at a used car showroom in Muvattupuzha, where he reportedly admitted his involvement. A search of his rented accommodation in Puthencruz yielded suspected illegal drugs and communications related to drug transactions, which have been passed to Ernakulam Rural Police for a separate investigation. Central agencies are examining Paul's digital communications and financial transactions to determine if he acted alone or under instructions from others. Authorities are particularly interested in messages discussing attacks on Jewish religious sites and other locations across India, raising concerns about potential foreign involvement. However, police have not yet established whether any foreign organization was involved or if cryptocurrency payments were actually made. They are also examining Paul's mental condition as part of the investigation.",
  "summary": "Police in the southern Indian state of Kerala are investigating possible international terror links and cryptocurrency payments after arresting a 32-year-old man accused of setting fire to a nursery near a Jewish synagogue in Kochi. The suspect, identified as Ebin Paul, was arrested within hours of the October 12 attack at Blossom Nursery, located near the Kadavumbhagam Synagogue in Ernakulam…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}