A flood of support for south-east imam after “terrible, hateful attack”

With reporting from the Australian Associated Press.

A man accused of attacking an Islamic religious leader in a road rage incident has tried to jump out of the dock after being refused bail.

Brendan Nicholls, 23, made the application in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being charged with criminal damage and assault.

What happened? It's alleged Nicholls and a 22-year-old Cranbourne East man abused Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday.

• Police say the couple were travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South at 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 drove dangerously to intimidate them before getting out and kicking the imam's car.

• Imam Purdic was allegedly punched in the face while his wife was called a "Muslim b****" during the incident, the court was told.

• Bystanders intervened before the accused allegedly returned to their vehicle and fled.

🚔 Arrests and charges: Nicholls and his co-accused were arrested in Dandenong South on Sunday and charged with criminal damage and common assault.

• The 22-year-old man was bailed to appear at court in May, while Nicholls briefly faced Dandenong Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.

• His bail application was adjourned to Tuesday as he was withdrawing from drugs and was unfit to see a magistrate. 

❤️ Shocked but grateful: Speaking to reporters on Monday, Imam Purdic said he and his wife were “in shock” and glad their children were not with them during the attack.

• “Australians must fight against hate, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all bad things,” said Imam Purdic.

🎤 How did politicians react? Speaking to reporters on Monday, Premier Jacinta Allan said she condemned the “terrible, hateful attack”.

• “There is no place for Islamophobia, no place for this sort of hate anywhere in Victoria,” said Allan. “I want to say very clearly to the Muslim community, but particularly to Muslim women, that I will fight and support your right every single day to live freely in this state, free from hate and also fight for your right to move around our community safely and with dignity.”

• In a statement, opposition spokesperson for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs, Evan Mulholland, said the Liberal and National parties would “continue to speak out whenever individuals or communities are targeted because of who they are or what they believe”.

• "The Liberals and Nationals unequivocally condemn all forms of religious and faith-based violence,” said Mulholland.

• In a statement, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said the incident had been “incredibly distressing” for the community.

• 🗣️“The Dandenong region is home to the most culturally diverse community in the nation,” said Williams. “Attacks like this seek to divide us, but I know our community will respond with kindness and care.”

🤬 Chaos erupts: There was commotion in the court as the magistrate handed down his decision, with Nicholls swearing and trying to jump out of the dock.

• His mother ran to him but the guards pulled him from the courtroom.

Nicholls was remanded in custody to return to court in February.