Man denied bail after violent Sydney rally

16 Sep 2012, 8:59 pm   -   Source: AAP

Six people have been charged, including boxer Ahmed Elomar, over protests in Sydney, while political leaders condemn the violence.

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A father of three charged with affray for his alleged involvement in a violent protest in Sydney over an anti-Islamist video remains behind bars.

Ahmed Elomar, a 29-year-old champion boxer, was one of six men charged over demonstrations in central Sydney on Saturday, but the only one denied bail.

Magistrate Andrew George said Elomar had breached bail for driving offences and could not be trusted to obey his bail conditions, while Elomar's lawyer argued his arrest was not "justified".

Mr George remanded Elomar in custody until Tuesday.

Saturday's protest, one of many worldwide, was sparked by the film Innocence of Muslims, which was produced in the United States and portrays the prophet Mohammed as a fraud, womaniser, homosexual and madman.

The rally began at Sydney's Town Hall before moving to the US consulate in Martin Place, then erupting in Hyde Park where protesters clashed with up to 150 police officers.

Six police and 17 other people were injured.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the film as repulsive, but stressed the ugly scenes that erupted on Saturday had no place in Australia.

"I absolutely condemn the violence that we saw yesterday," Ms Gillard told reporters in Brisbane.

Footage and photos of the protest showed a young child carrying a placard that called for the beheading of anti-Islamists.

"I do not want to see in the hands of anyone, in particular children, offensive signs that call for the killing of others," Ms Gillard said.

"This is not the Australian way."

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione blamed the violence on "extremist offenders" among the 300 people who gathered at Sydney Town Hall to condemn the film.

Some protesters allegedly threw glass bottles and other missiles at police, forcing officers to use capsicum spray during a melee.

Seven men and one male juvenile were arrested, with six men so far charged with offences including assaulting police.

Mr Scipione said while some were there to protest lawfully, there were a few people determined to make trouble.

"You don't wear a balaclava, you don't wear a face-covering unless you're going to get up to badness and we saw plenty of those in the crowd," he said.

"They were there and they became extremist offenders."

Elomar displayed little emotion as he appeared in Parramatta Bail Court via videolink on Sunday, wearing a T-shirt displaying the phrase "6th pillar".

His lawyer Greg Scragg argued Elomar had not thrown bottles at police, adding a shoulder injury sustained from a skiing accident in August had been exacerbated by his arrest.

"He was caught up in circumstances that got out of hand," Mr Scragg said.

"His arrest was not justified. His arrest was done in circumstances of over-policing."

Mr George said Elomar had breached bail for driving offences and could not be trusted to obey his bail conditions.

He remanded Elomar in custody until September 18 for a preliminary hearing at Central Local Court.

The five other defendants will face court next month.

The movie has seen demonstrations from the Middle East to Southeast Asia and a group campaigning for a unitary Islamic state will protest outside London's US embassy on Sunday.

Australia's peak Muslim group, Muslims Australia, slammed the violent actions of protesters and invited Australians to use forums to find out more about Mohammed.

"Muslims Australia condemns and deplores the unruly demonstrations and violent acts purporting to be in support of our beloved prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings upon him," council president Hafez Kassem said.

The group said it would soon post dates, times and addresses for open forums on the prophet Mohammed to be held in every major city.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the violent protest did not fairly reflect the Islamic people of Australia.

The vast majority of Australia's Muslims were law-abiding citizens who wanted to be "first-class members" of society, he said.

AAP

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