Parklea rioter denied bail as co accused front court

An alleged Parklea rioter had his bail refused by a Blacktown magistrate as the court heard new details of the incident, with more than 40 co-accused fronting court.

An alleged Parklea rioter has had his bail application denied by a Blacktown magistrate who stated “nothing has changed since your last application, so what makes you think I would grant this one?”.

Ali Evci, 25 is facing a charge of riot for his alleged involvement in the July 20 riot at Parklea Correctional Centre.

Evci’s lawyer applied for bail in Blacktown Court on Thursday, as one of over 40 co-accused facing the same charge.

Riot police moved in and arrest inmates who are holding a protest on the rooftops of Parklea prison. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Magistrate Brian van Zuylen noted that a different lawyer had applied for Evci’s bail some “three to four weeks ago” and said “nothing has changed since your application so what makes you think I would grant this one?”

Magistrate van Zuylen read out the allegations against Evci which included new details about bed sheets being used to block doors and create ropes to climb onto the roof.

“Evci’s actions are said to have been caught on CCTV,” said Magistrate van Zuylen.

“He was seen in the rear yard helping inmates climb up on his back. He is seen wrapping a covering around his face, I assume to attempt to mask his appearance.

“He has also armed himself with a rod and started hitting the perspex. I note the damage caused by this riot is expected to exceeds a million dollars.

“He is seen making bed sheets into a makeshift rope and tying it together. He also used sheets to try to block doorways and entrances.

“It appears to be a strong case and I am not persuaded that anything has changed since the last bail application and therefore bail is refused,” Mr van Zuylen.

Evci and the other co-accused in the Parklea riot matter will return to court next on March 10 for a further brief.