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‘Sexual assault, biting, plucking eyes’: Blockbuster hearing into activists

The victim of a high-profile kidnapping and assault case involving prominent pro-Palestinian activists has been grilled in a blockbuster court hearing, where it was revealed he had been accused of being a ‘sexual predator’ after being tortured by the alleged offenders.

Activist Mohammad Sharab. Picture: Brendan Beckett
Activist Mohammad Sharab. Picture: Brendan Beckett

The victim of a high-profile kidnapping and assault case involving prominent pro-Palestinian activists has been grilled in a court hearing, where it was revealed he had been accused of being a “sexual predator” after being tortured by the alleged offenders.

Al Jannah Foundation founder Laura Allam, 27, activist Mohammad Sharab, 37, and a 25-year-old man who has a suppression order protecting his identity appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for a six-hour committal hearing into a potential trial.

Mr Sharab, Ms Allam and the 25-year-old third co-accused appeared before Magistrate Brett Sonnet in person.

Engineer Nemer Abusamha 31, has detailed how he met the accused offenders in December last year at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Defence lawyers acting on behalf of the three alleged offenders had questioned whether he had sexually assaulted a woman known to the accused, which he denied, saying: “We kissed each other, we held each other’s hands, that was it.”

Ms Allam’s defence barrister Ran Zaydan had directly asked Mr Abusamha if he had sexually assaulted the woman.

Laura Allam.
Laura Allam.

“You sexually assaulted (her), didn’t you,” Ms Zaydan asked.

“Of course not,” he responded. “I’ve not sexually assaulted anyone in the community, I think they’ve just come up with something like that.”

During the cross-examination Mr Sharab’s lawyer, Emily Clark, asked the victim: “Have you ever been accused of being a sexual predator?”

“A woman had made an allegation of sexual assault to the police. They told me they will get back to me … I never heard back,” Mr Abusamha replied.

Ms Zaydan had summoned Burgertory chief executive Hashem Tayeh as a witness after revelations he had correspondence with both Ms Allam and the complainant about the incident.

Mr Tayeh had been questioned about two visits he had made to the victim’s house, where the victim allegedly was offered a sum of money to withdraw charges against the accused offenders.

Mr Abusamha told the court he messaged Mr Tayeh on February 17 asking if he could help him in finding his iPhone and Apple Watch, which was taken from him at the time of the alleged assault.

“I sent a message to Hash, I also texted many other people,” he told the court. “I told him that she invited me for dinner and she got me kidnapped.”

Hash Tayeh addressing protesters outside the Coburg North Burgertory Picture: Olivia Jenkins
Hash Tayeh addressing protesters outside the Coburg North Burgertory Picture: Olivia Jenkins

Mr Tayeh told the court that a woman had disclosed to him she was sexually assaulted by the complainant.

“She told me that she didn’t do anything wrong and that she’d be reporting the sex assault to police,” Mr Tayeh said.

The burger boss denied offering a large sum of money to the victim but said he bought him a kebab when he alleged to have no money for food.

The matter was adjourned until January 14 next year.

Mohammad Alfares

Mohammad Alfares, a journalist and a keen fisherman. Growing up, I would film and edit ‘productions’ I made with family friends every holiday. Combined with my love of writing and storytelling, being a journalist was the perfect fit! I obtained a Bachelor of Communication at Massey University in New Zealand and was lucky enough to get my first taste of the industry in broadcast journalism. Outside of work, I keep my hunger for adrenaline satisfied by chasing a big fish! I’ll also find time to relax too, either with a cup of coffee or enjoying some fresh air and sunshine.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sexual-assault-biting-plucking-eyes-blockbuster-hearing-into-activists/news-story/d73b936381860812a471ed6409ebdbae