Overview
- Imam Ebrahim Gadou was sitting in his car after prayers when a stranger opened his door, struck him, spat on him and told him to 'go home' on Thursday, June 18, leaving him with a fracture on the left side of his mouth.
- Victoria Police say 31-year-old Vincent Edward Abraham was arrested shortly after the Fort Street incident and has been charged in connection with two downtown assaults that took place within about an hour of each other.
- Police allege Abraham faces charges that include robbery and assault causing bodily harm for the Fort Street incident and robbery and assault with a weapon for an earlier Douglas Street assault, and VicPD says both victims suffered minor injuries.
- Muslim organizations and political leaders condemned the attack and urged stronger protections for faith leaders, while Gadou publicly offered forgiveness and said he wants to meet the accused to seek a promise he will not harm others.
- Investigators are probing motive, including possible hate motivation, and the suspect remains remanded ahead of a June 25 court appearance with police asking anyone with information to contact VicPD.