Student on Victorian university rape charges
A VISITING doctoral candidate has been charged with raping a fellow student on the campus of a Victorian university and faces the prospect of deportation.
Law & Order
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A VISITING doctoral candidate has been charged with raping a fellow student on the campus of a Victorian university.
Saudi Arabian scholarship recipient Nasser Alsulayhim, 31, is facing a string of charges including multiple counts of rape over the alleged attack.
He spent almost three months behind bars on remand until being bailed by the Supreme Court this month.
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His release on bail came despite opposition from police who fear he will try to return to his wife and two children in Saudi Arabia.
Details of what or where Mr Alsulayhim is studying are not known.
But it is known he is on a student visa to undertake research here while on leave as an employee of the Institute of Public Administration in Saudi Arabia.
His tuition fees, accommodation and living allowance are being funded by the government of Saudi Arabia.
But that could all come under threat with Mr Alsulayhim now facing the prospect of deportation over the sexual assault allegations.
Police allege Mr Alsulayhim raped a fellow international student he met in the early hours of April 29 this year near university accommodation they live in.
It is alleged Mr Alsulayhim told the complainant that he was looking for “some fun” and “a good night”, and invited the complainant back to his apartment.
After becoming intimate, police allege Mr Alsulayhim became aggressive toward the complainant, telling him he “wasn’t gay”.
He is then accused of slapping, pushing and strangling the complainant before forcing him to perform humiliating sexual acts.
Mr Alsulayhim has denied any wrongdoing.
The complainant reported the incident to a customer service co-ordinator at his accommodation shortly after, but only went to police in July.
He initially said he didn’t believe he had been sexually assaulted.
Granting bail, Justice David Beach said it could not be said the Crown case was an overwhelming one.
He also said Mr Alsulayhim had no prior criminal history.
Mr Alsulayhim has surrendered his passport and must comply with a string of strict bail conditions including regularly reporting to police.
He is due to face a preliminary hearing in December.