Nurse's bombshell move after viral video
Ahmad Rashad Nadir, and Sarah Abu Lebdeh, both aged 27, made international headlines in February after a video of the pair bragging about killing Israeli patients at Bankstown Hospital, in Sydney's west went viral.
Mr Nadir and Ms Abu Lebdeh arrived on Wednesday morning at the Downing Centre Local Court where their matters were heard for the first time inside a packed courtroom.
Both cases were adjourned for eight weeks. Their bail is to continue and they will return to court on May 13.
Mr Nadir's lawyer Zemarai Khatiz told reporters outside court that he would 'intend to argue for the video to be excluded from court', citing 'legal and technical grounds'.
Mr Khatiz alleges the video was captured 'without the consent and knowledge' of his client.
'So, he'll be defending the charges on several legal and technical grounds,' Mr Khatiz later told NewsWire.
'We will be challenging the admissibility of the video recording because it was a private conversation which was recorded by the person overseas without my client's consent and without his knowledge. That video recording was made secretly overseas and was unlawfully obtained.'
Mr Khatiz also confirmed his client would be pleading not guilty.
People shielded Ms Abu Lebdeh from the media scrum on all sides as she walked into the courthouse.
Ms Abu Lebdeh is charged with threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
Mr Nadir has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and possessing a prohibited drug.
Both nurses were stood down by NSW Health as soon as they were identified.
In the two-and-a-half minute video recorded by Israeli influencer Max Veifer, the nurses threaten to kill Israelis who came to the hospital.
Mr Veifer often uses Chatruletka and Omegle, online platforms that pair users in random video chats, to expose instances of anti-Semitism and also to learn English.
'Ahh,' Mr Nadir says. 'I'm gonna be really honest with you, you've actually got really, really beautiful eyes.
'But I'm so upset that you're Israeli … eventually you're gonna get killed and you're gonna go to Jahannam (hell). But those pretty eyes, they should stay in this world for longer.'
The exchange quickly gets heated as Mr Veifer explains he served in the IDF (Israeli Defence Force).
A woman's voice can then be heard off camera saying: 'you killed innocent people'.
The woman's voice continues: 'So you kill innocent people to protect your country? What kind of soul do you have? You have no soul.'
Mr Veifer then asked the pair: 'How are you doctors?'
Abu Lebdeh then allegedly told Mr Veifer she wanted him to 'remember my face so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death'.
Mr Veifer then begins to ask 'Let's say an Israeli, God forbid …'
'I won't treat them, I'll kill them,' Ms Abu Lebdeh says.
'Not God forbid, I hope to God.'
'You'll kill them?' Mr Veifer is heard asking.
Mr Nadir then said: 'OK you have no idea how many Israeli haram dogs came to this hospital and (makes throat slitting motion) I send them to Jahannam.'
'For real? If just Jewish people comes (sic) there …' Mr Veifer begins before the chat ends.
Following the identification of Mr Nadir in February, Strike Force Pearl raided his home and seized a number of items.
Mr Nadir was taken to hospital a few hours later over mental health concerns.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 (call), 0477 131 114 (text) or lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.auDomestic violence support: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or 1800respect.org.auSexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292 or sacl.com.auKids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.auMensline Australia: 1300 789 978Other tips about mental health and wellbeing can be found at chrismackey.com.au/resources
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