Tattooed influencer Yakiboy fights back against festival punch allegation

An Instagram-famous bodybuilder has appeared in court to fight charges relating to a brawl at a festival, with his counsel telling a court he acted in “self defence”.

A Sydney man smoked marijuana and did 10 to 12 shots before he was involved in an altercation at a music festival with an Instagram-famous bodybuilder during which he alleges he suffered a broken jaw, a court has heard.

Hossein “Yakiboy” Balapour arrived at court on Monday flanked by supporters and his legal team as he battled accusations he struck out at alleged victim Ali Jangravi in an unprovoked attack at the Knockout Music Festival at Sydney Olympic Park in October 2022.

Mr Balapour has pleaded not guilty to one count of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and through his barrister, Tom Hughes, has told the court he was acting in self defence.

The court has heard the police alleged Mr Jangravi suffered a broken jaw, which required surgery, after being hit by Mr Balapour.

Magistrate Vivien Swain, court staff, lawyers, Mr Balapour and others in the public gallery sweltered inside courtroom five at Burwood Local Court on Monday due to a broken airconditioning unit.

And things became equally heated when Mr Balapour’s legal team accused Mr Jangravi of being drunk and high, the aggressor in the incident and having threatened to stab the heavily-tattooed social media influencer.

Hossein Balapour has pleaded not guilty to one count of reckless grievous bodily harm. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer.

The court has heard that Mr Jangravi spent the hours before the festival drinking 10 to 12 shots of tequila at a mate’s place at Parramatta.

He told the court on Monday that when he arrived at Olympic Park, he came across a group of young people smoking a joint, which he had two to three puffs of.

The court was on Monday played CCTV which showed Mr Balapour, in a white shirt, having a verbal altercation with Mr Jangravi before striking out.

The court heard that Mr Yangravi claimed he was approached by a “very tall man” and after speaking for a brief period, he was “suddenly” punched.

In his evidence to the court through an interpreter, Mr Jangravi said that when he came across Mr Balapour at around 5.45pm, the bodybuilder approached him and told him he seemed to be high and drunk.

Mr Jangravi replied that he was there to “party” and “yeah, what is the problem with that,” he told the court.

Asked where he was punched, Mr Jangravi said: “I think it was on my right cheek.”

The court heard the incident occurred in the early evening but the complainant stayed at the festival for another five and a half hours, leaving at 11pm.

He said that when he woke the next morning, he realised he was in pain and that his jaw was misaligned.

“I was in pain, I went to the hospital, I was told I need an operation,” Mr Jangravi said.

Hossein Balapour says he was acting in self defence. Picture: Instagram.

Mr Hughes told the court Mr Balapour struck out in an act of self defence, as well as attacking Mr Jangravi’s reliability.

He accused Mr Jangravi of being “very drunk and very high”.

Under cross examination, Mr Jangravi said he was “very drunk” but added: “I wasn’t high”.

Mr Jangravi claimed he was approached by Mr Balapour, however it was suggested the footage showed Mr Jangravi walking across a roadway towards Mr Balapour.

The court heard that at the time Mr Balapour was having his photo taken with a group of people.

In his evidence and statement, Mr Jangravi said he was struck on the right side, the court was told.

However Mr Hughes played video to the court which he said showed Mr Balapour striking Mr Jangravi with an elbow to the left side, rather than the right.

Mr Hughes also questioned whether Mr Jangravi was involved in another altercation that night – a suggestion that was denied.

Mr Hughes questioned Mr Jangravi whether he was the instigator, suggesting to him he approached Mr Balapour calling him a “f***ing flop” and a “pussy.”

Hossein Balapour will return to court next year. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

He also suggested to him that he took issue with Mr Balapour’s criticism of anti-female policies of the Iranian government.

Mr Jangravi denied all of Mr Hughes’ suggestions.

Mr Hughes further suggested that Mr Jangravi told Mr Balapour: “Are you ready, I’m going to stab you right now, I’m going to kill you.”

“Not true,” Mr Jangravi said.

He was further asked whether he said “are you ready motherf***er”.

“Not true,” Mr Jangravi said.

The matter will return to court next year, with the court hearing Mr Balapour is expected to give evidence alongside other defence witnesses.