Yesterday, the controversy regarding whether a Muslim witness should be compelled to remove her burqa during a fraud trial escalated into violence when the accused, Anwar Sayed, was reportedly ambushed and attacked in his vehicle on his way to court.
The former principal of the now-closed Muslim Ladies College in Perth, Mr. Sayed, sustained lacerations and bruises in the incident, which occurred just before 9 a.m. as he was driving from his home in Canning Vale to meet with his solicitor in Leeming.
Facing allegations of deceiving State and Federal governments out of up to $752,000 by inflating enrollment figures at the Kenwick college, Mr. Sayed was supposed to appear in the District Court to set a trial date.
However, instead of attending court, the 51-year-old was receiving treatment for his injuries at Fremantle Hospital, while detectives began probing the reported assault, which transpired a day after his attorney stated in court that Mr. Sayed had received multiple death threats.
According to Mr. Sayed’s solicitor, Swaran Ludher, his client arrived at his office in a “very distressed and agitated state.”
“He was experiencing pain, appeared frightened, and was not very coherent,” he remarked. “Although I couldn’t fully understand him, the bruises on him were evident. He had sustained injuries to his chest and head.”
Paramedics transported Mr. Sayed to Fremantle Hospital, where a spokeswoman indicated he was moved to another facility later in the day.
Det Sgt James Bradley mentioned, “While Mr. Sayed’s injuries were minor, we are treating this incident seriously.”
“Preliminary investigations suggest that another vehicle halted Mr. Sayed’s car, resulting in him being assaulted through his window while seated inside,” he elaborated. “Forensic police are presently examining the vehicle, and we hope to collect fingerprints or DNA evidence from it.”
Mr. Ludher noted that many individuals in both the Muslim community and the broader public were angered by Mr. Sayed due to the heated discussions surrounding his case this week. “He has faced threats from various individuals regarding the burqa issue,” he stated. The case drew attention when a judge listened to arguments regarding whether a female witness would be required to remove her niqab, which only leaves the eyes visible, during her testimony.
The female witness, Tasneem, who chose not to disclose her last name, expressed her shock but declined to make further comments.
Mr. Sayed’s legal representatives appeared in court approximately one hour following the alleged assault. Defence attorney Mark Trowell informed Judge Peter Martino that Mr. Sayed had been “brutally assaulted in the face and chest.”
In a statement made yesterday, Mr. Sayed’s daughter Safiyyah revealed that the family was traumatized and urged the police to enhance security for her father.
A spokesperson for the police mentioned there was no reported evidence of any death threats made against Mr. Sayed.
