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Muslim attacked sister-in-law for bringing wife to the beach
Ismail Belghar is thought to be the first Muslim in Australia to be granted a judge-only trial on the grounds that a jury may be biased because of his religion. This decision can be revealed after Belghar, 36, yesterday pleaded guilty to detaining and assaulting his sister-in-law after she "dared" to bring his wife to the beach without his permission. The court heard Belghar felt it "abhorrent" that his wife, Hanife Kokden, had been to the beach where she "displayed her body". In March, the judge had granted Belghar a trial before a solitary judge after saying he may not receive a fair trial with a jury. Judge Solomon said, "The attitude of (Belghar) ... is based on a religious or cultural basis. In light of the fact there has been adverse publicity regarding people who hold extreme Muslim faith beliefs in the community, I am of the view that the apprehension by (Belghar) that he may not receive a fair trial is a reasonable apprehension." The Moroccan immigrant had originally been charged with the attempted murder of his wife's younger sister, Canan Kokden, 25. The Crown appealed the judge's ruling arguing that, were the judge correct, every Muslim would be entitled to a judge-only trial. Last week the Court of Criminal Appeal overturned the ruling and ordered Belghar be tried by a jury. The trial was due to start yesterday when Belghar pleaded guilty to detaining Kokden for advantage to intimidate and assault. He denied attempted murder and that charge was dropped.
Just before Christmas, in the same year, Kokden came face to face with Belghar while out shopping with her brother. Belghar slapped her across the face then carried her to the railing around the car park where he held her out over it. She was freed when her brother tackled Belghar.
Posted by: 2012-05-10 |
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