Courtroom drama as man accused of attacking Muslim preacher and his wife in anti-Islamic ‘hate crime’ is unable to attend hearing
A man accused of attacking an Islamic religious leader has been unable to face court because he is withdrawing from drugs.
Brendan Nicholls, 23, could be heard screaming from the cells at Dandenong Magistrates Court on Monday after being charged with criminal damage and assault.
It’s alleged Nicholls and a 22-year-old Cranbourne East man assaulted and racially abused Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife in Melbourne’s south-east on Saturday night.
Police say the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South about 7.40pm when the occupants of a small black hatchback allegedly targeted them.
The couple’s vehicle was boxed in and the accused allegedly hurled objects at their car, drove dangerously to intimidate them and got out of their car to assault Imam Purdic and threaten his wife.
The imam is recovering after being punched in the face during the incident, according to the Australian National Imams Council.
Bystanders intervened before the accused allegedly returned to their vehicle and fled.
Nicholls and his co-accused were arrested in Dandenong South on Sunday and charged with criminal damage and common assault.
Ismet Purdic (pictured), Imam of the Bosnian Herzegovina Islamic Society, and his wife were allegedly attacked on Saturday night
Two men were charged with criminal damage and common assault
The 22-year-old man was bailed to appear at court in May, while Nicholls was remanded to face Dandenong Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.
His lawyer told the court her client was at risk of self-harm and withdrawing from drugs so he could not be brought up from the cells.
She confirmed to the magistrate it was Nicholls whose screams could be heard in the courtroom.
Nicholls was remanded in custody to return to court on Tuesday where he may apply for bail.
An 18-year-old Dandenong South woman who was also allegedly in the car was released pending summons.
Meanwhile, Imam Purdic has spoken out about his ordeal as terrifying footage of the alleged incident emerged.
He is relieved that his children weren’t also in the car at the time.
Imam Purdic will take some time off his official duties at Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society Noble Park Mosque to recover.
Mr Purdic (pictured) was injured in the alleged assault before passing motorists intervened
Two men appeared in court on Monday over the alleged attack
But he wants the mosque to proceed with plans to hold an open day in the coming weeks.
‘We must, as Australians must fight against hate, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and all bad things,’ Imam Purdic said.
‘My mission is to share peace and security with people.
‘We must stay together and fight it and not allow anyone to break this good life in Australia.’
The Bosnia Herzegovina Islamic Society condemned the alleged attack against their imam.
‘The Imam has expressed gratitude that his children were not present, noting the profound trauma the incident has caused,’ the Facebook post read.
‘Imam Purdic has served the community for more than 12 years as a religious leader, educator and interfaith advocate through the Interfaith Network Dandenong, promoting peace, coexistence and mutual respect.
‘He has called on all Australians to work together to prevent such hatred and violence.’
The Australian National Imams Council described the alleged attack as ‘cowardly’.
‘No family in Australia should fear being attacked simply for their faith, appearance, or identity,’ the statement read.
Bosnian Herzegovina Islamic Society condemned the alleged attack on its leader (worshippers pictured)
Victoria Police said there was no place for prejudice-motivated, religious based or hate-based behaviour in society.
‘Such activity will not be tolerated,’ the statement read.
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