Jewish groups are applauding a judge's decision to deny bail to a man accused of firebombing Jewish institutions in Montreal.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Céline Lamontagne ruled that Azim Ibragimov, 22, should remain in jail until his trial.

Ibragimov and Omar Bulphred, 24, are charged with arson, uttering threats and possession of arson materials. They appeared Friday in a Montreal courtroom.

Joachim Normand of the Canadian Jewish Congress said the judge's decision gives his community confidence that the justice system takes the matter seriously, while Steven Slimovitch of B'nai Brith said the Jewish community makes an easy target so the judge's ruling was reassuring.

While Ibragimov remains in jail, Bulphred will return to court May 14 to complete his bail hearing.

The men are accused of setting off homemade bombs at a Jewish school and community centre, as well as setting fire to a vehicle.

A homemade bomb was thrown at the Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre in the Côte-des-Neiges district earlier this month during Passover.