Kassin Riszk charged after police allegedly assaulted in Caringbah

A Sydney man says he said “Allahu Akbar” to police to calm himself down, not to intimidate them after they pulled him over when he allegedly made offensive gestures at officers. He remains behind bars after he allegedly assaulted two senior constables.

Bilal Riszk, 29, from Sans Souci, was granted bail after he allegedly obstructed police who were attempting to arrest his brother during a traffic stop.

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A man shouted “Allahu Akbar” to police who pulled him over near a southern Sydney McDonald’s after he allegedly made a rude gesture at them as he drove past before allegedly assaulting two officers during a subsequent traffic stop.

However, Kassin Riszk, 32, who appeared in the Sutherland Local Court dock with a black eye and red marks on his neck, alleges he was unfairly targeted by police and assaulted by them despite following their orders.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt refused bail at Sutherland Local Court after noting Riszk was already facing charges of assault and intimidation, which are to be heard at the same court on August 20, and has previously served jail time for assault.

The court heard Riszk made offensive gestures to two officers on foot as he passed in his Toyota Camry on the Kingsway at Caringbah.

When police stopped him they allege he punched and kicked two senior constables as they conducted breath and drug tests.

However, Riszk’s Legal Aid solicitor Nicholas Breen told the court the Sans Souci man was in fact assaulted and threatened by the officers.

“He was driving his car and stuck his finger up at his brother, and that has attracted police attention – they followed him around the corner from McDonald’s,” Mr Breen told Magistrate Les Mabbutt.

“He says when he was interacting with (police) that he did not like what they were doing and they punched him in the eye, and that was the precipitating event.”

The pair were arrested outside Caringbah McDonald’s. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Riszk also alleges police held him down by his neck and told him “they were going to kill him”.

Mr Breen told the court Riszk agreed he was saying “Allahu Akbar” – a Muslim phrase which means “God is the greatest” – but to calm himself down rather than to intimidate police.

“It’s a belief he holds as a person, and there are many individuals in society that hold the same values,” Mr Breen said.

However, police prosecutor Glen Collette said Riszk’s alleged behaviour would cause the community great concern if he was granted bail.

“He said “Allahu Akbar”, “f*** you”, and put his rude finger towards police,” Mr Collette told the court.

“He has assault on his record and has previously served prison sentences for assault matters – what occurred after (the traffic stop) would give the community cause for great concern.”

Riszk’s brother Bilal, 28, who was in the car with him, has also been charged with wilfully obstructing police after officers allege he attempted to prevent his brother’s arrest.

Bilal Riszk’s Legal Aid solicitor Mary Underwood told the court he was, in fact, trying to pull his brother away to calm him down.

Magistrate Jayeann Carney granted the younger man, who the court heard also has a history of violence, bail on the condition he does not interact with his brother.

Outside court Bilal told reporters “no comment, the police are violent” before leaving with his mother.

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