Pro-Palestinian activist Mohammad Sharab denied bail on kidnap, assault charges

A pro-Palestine demonstrator accused of kidnapping and assaulting a man with a hammer has been refused bail after allegedly breaching earlier bail conditions.

Mohammad Sharab will return to court later this year. Picture: Supplied

A pro-Palestine demonstrator accused of kidnapping and assaulting a man with a hammer has been refused bail after allegedly breaching earlier bail conditions.

Mohammad Sharab, 37, and co-accused Laura Allam, a prominent human rights activist, were allegedly among four offenders who lured their male victim from his home in Melbourne’s west before he was bundled into a ute, wrapped in duct tape and bashed with a hammer.

Mr Sharab was granted bail after he was charged in February but remanded in custody last month after he allegedly spoke with a male co-offender and failed to report to police, which was in breach of his bail conditions.

In one instance, police allege Mr Sharab, wearing a scarf over his face, was recorded speaking with the man at a pro-Palestine rally outside the State Library on July 21.

Prominent human rights activist Laura Allam. Picture: Supplied

Mr Sharab reapplied for bail at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where his barrister Tim Smurthwaite said his client was grieving the loss of up to 50 extended family members killed in the Israel-Palestine conflict and would abide by a ban from attending future rallies.

Senior Constable Daniel Rees opposed the application, saying he had no issue with Mr Sharab protesting and “fighting a good fight for his fellow people in Gaza”.

“It’s within his right to be going to these rallies,” he said

“The issue we have ... is him being in vicinity, being in contact with (his co-accused).”

Magistrate David Starvaggi refused bail saying he considered the alleged offending to be “extraordinarily and seriously violent” and he was not satisfied any conditions could lessen the risk of further breaches.

Mr Sharab will return to court later this year.