Salim Mehajer’s parole denied after surprise granting of bail, court hears

The court battle of former developer and politician Salim Mehajer has taken yet another surprising turn, in what is a devastating blow for him.

Salim Mehajer will unlikely be released on parole this week, a court has heard. Picture: Instagram

The court battle of former developer and politician Salim Mehajer has taken yet another surprising turn, with a court hearing he is unlikely to be released from prison any time soon.

The devastating blow to the former Auburn Deputy Mayor follows a decision to grant him bail on other charges just last week.

Mehajer has been in prison since 2021 after he was found guilty of lying under oath. With his non-parole period expiring on January 18, he could have walked out of jail in just a few days.

That freedom rested on the condition that he be granted bail for unrelated domestic violence charges in the NSW District Court last Tuesday — which he was, to his visible relief.

But in a fresh twist, a court has now heard he’s unlikely to have his handcuffs removed any time in the near future.

In a Supreme Court bail call-over on Monday, Registrar George Galanis told Mehajer the Crown had launched a detention application to keep him behind bars.

Mehajer asked the court why his parole had been rejected. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“It is my understanding that follows a new decision of the parole authority for there to be no release on parole,” Mr Galanis said.

Mehajer, who was self-represented, asked Mr Galanis why his parole was being opposed. The Registrar said that would be addressed in an upcoming detention application hearing.

Mehajer told the court he had filed an application to reverse the State Parole Authority’s decision not to grant parole, but was met with disappointment when Mr Galanis said: “That may change their decision, but not for some time.”

The miserable jail conditions Mehajer has faced in recent months were aired in court last Tuesday.

The former deputy mayor of Auburn City Council has been in prison since 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Judge Mark Williams said he had been in solitary confinement, where he is locked in his cell 24-hours a day, has to sit on his bed or on the concrete floor, and has had no access to medication to treat his bipolar disorder.

Mehajer is set to face trial in March for allegedly assaulting, intimidating and choking his ex-girlfriend.

He earlier told the court he would “vigorously defend” the charges.

There is yet to be a date set for Mehajer’s detention application, as the court heard he is seeking legal representation. The court heard that if he is self-represented, he may again face court alone as early as Thursday.

Originally published as Salim Mehajer’s parole denied after surprise granting of bail, court hears