Nikola Karpathios: Alleged anti-vax rioter needs bail change to attend own wedding

An alleged anti-mandate protester has asked the court for special permission to attend his own wedding.

Nikola Karpathios appeared in Darwin Local Court on Thursday over accusations he assaulted an officer during an anti-mandate, anti-vaccine protest. Picture: Che Chorley

AN ALLEGED anti-vax rioter has asked the court to lift a ban on him entering Darwin’s CBD so he can attend his own wedding.

Nikola Karpathios, 43, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Thursday over accusations that he assaulted a police officer during an anti-mandate, anti-vaccine protest.

His lawyer, Peter Maley said Mr Karpathios’s current bail conditions meant he would be unable to attend his own wedding.

Mr Maley told the court Mr Karpathios wanted to hold the ceremony at the Greek Church in January, which would violate a bail condition to not return to the city centre.

Judge John Neill said the bail variation would need to be discussed with the officer in charge before Mr Karpathios’s next appearance on December 17.

Mr Mallory said the matter could be finalised in the December hearing, depending on further police evidence.

The court heard the entire alleged assault was captured on CCTV and police body-cam footage.

Mr Neill there were a number of “very poor-quality photographs” already tendered to the court.

The alleged anti-mandate rioter wore a disposable mask as he silently watched the proceedings.

He has been charged with contravention of an emergency declaration, taking part in a riot, assaulting a member of the police force, hindering police and going armed in public.

Mr Karpathios will return to Darwin Local Court on December 17.

He was arrested in connection with the violent protests during the March Against The Mandates protest on Saturday, November 6.

NT Police said that during the clash with anti-mandate, anti-vaccine protesters officers were sprayed with an unknown chemical substance and pelted with rocks.

Police have reported that a dozen people were arrested in connection with the November 6 protests.

Police issued seven notices to appear for varying offences and 24 fines for breaching the chief health officer’s directions and seized more than 30 weapons after suspending two firearms licences.