Organic Store Bowral: Victoria Kleeberg, Mark Kleeberg deny anti-mask offences, resisting police

The owners of the now-infamous Organic Store in Bowral and their employee will fight their charges of defying public health orders and resisting arrest in a hearing next year.

The owners of the now-infamous Organic Store in Bowral and one of their employees will proceed to hearing to fight their charges of defying public health orders and resisting arrest.

Victoria Kleeberg, 62, her husband Mark Julius Kleeberg, 63, and The Organic Store employee Inga Vyacheslavovna White, 42, have all pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest and defying public health orders after their violent arrest was captured in a viral video.

The three Bowral locals were arrested on the afternoon of July 1 for allegedly not complying with public health orders by refusing to wear a face mask inside their organic produce store.

The video shows Mrs Kleeberg being escorted to the police wagon while Mr Kleeberg argues with police. Picture: Instagram

The violent arrest was captured on camera by a customer of the store and widely shared on social media. The video shows Ms Kleeberg and her husband being arrested and escorted to the police wagon. Mr Kleeberg can be seen struggling with police and shouting before being brought to the ground by three officers.

The video went viral on social media, where it sparked a fierce debate about the role of police in enforcing the public health orders in place due to Covid. The Organic Store has since become a rallying point for those who believe the public health orders aren’t in the best interest of the community.

On July 1, Mrs Kleeberg was charged with not wearing a fitted face mask in a retail shop, two counts of resisting police in the execution of their duty, and failing to provide her name and address to police.

On the same day, Mr Kleeberg was charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting a police officer, not wearing a fitted face mask and not complying with a direction regarding spitting. Police allege he intentionally spat on a police officer in a way that would create fear about the spread of Covid.

The duo have been quite vocal on social media about their views against mask wearing and sanitising. Picture: Instagram

Ms White was charged for failing to wear a face mask on business premises and not providing her name and address.

Court documents reveal both Ms White and Mrs Kleeberg were charged with fresh offences the very next day after they were allegedly caught again not wearing masks in their store.

The court heard Mrs Kleeberg was arrested for the third time at around 9.30am on August 31 in Moss Vale after allegedly participating in an unlawful outdoor anti-lockdown protest in a stay-at-home area. She was arrested for her participation and resisting an officer in the execution of his duty.

Police allege the three offenders have committed a “serious offence given the current climate regarding public health”.

Defence lawyer Mani Shishineh confirmed his clients were ready to set a date for a hearing after they entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.

The court heard hearings will be held over two days for the different alleged incidents. The charges from July 1 are listed for hearing at Moss Vale Court on May 23 next year, while the charges from July 3 and August 31 will be before the same court on June 6 next year.

The court heard the prosecution will rely on body worn video, which has not yet been provided to the defence.

Mr and Ms Kleeberg have been vocal in their opposition to mask enforcement and stated the arrests were “without due cause”. Signs outside The Organic Store ask customers not to enter if they have been vaccinated and asks customers not to wear masks inside for “hygienic reasons”.