09-05-2025
21yo accused of setting car alight, anti-Israel vandalism in Sydney granted bail
A 21-year-old man accused of spray-painting anti-Israel messages and setting a car alight in Sydney's east has been granted strict conditional bail.
In November, 10 cars and three buildings were vandalised in Woollahra.
NSW Police said one of the cars were engulfed in flames, with the vehicle next to it damaged as well.
At the time, police said two men were had been captured on CCTV footage spray-painting the cars along Woollahra's Wellington Street.
Days after his alleged acts, Mohommed Farhat — then aged 20 — was arrested at Sydney's international airport and charged with 21 offences, including 14 counts of damaging and destroying property.
The hearing today specifically handled whether the accused was granted bail or not, and no plea has been entered yet.
On Friday, the NSW Supreme Court heard allegations Mr Farhat had researched the location of a Sydney Jewish hospital before his alleged acts.
Prosecutors alleged the accused had spoken to a psychiatrist in remand.
"He told the psychiatrist that he had been influenced to commit the offences without the detection of his family," the crown prosecutor said while opposing bail.
Justice Richard Weinstein, summarising allegations from police, also said that "he told the psychiatrist that 'people were getting in his head'".
Mr Farhat's barrister Rebekah Rodger also told the court her client faced a "risk of radicalisation in custody".
Justice Weinstein said there was no real evidence about radicalisation.
Mr Farhat has not been charged with a terrorism offence.
"Mr Farhat has an unblemished criminal history … a Hezbollah flag tattoo is as high as it goes," Justice Weinstein said.
Justice Weinstein said there were allegations before the court that Mr Farhat had targeted Sydney's Jewish community specifically, and that he had a stance relating to Israel.
The court also heard allegations that Mr Farhat had paid $1,000 to his co-accused.
Among the documents tendered by Ms Rodger, the court was given a receipt from the airline Jetstar allegedly showing he was going on a holiday to Bali with his girlfriend when he was arrested.
The length of remand, if bail was not granted, was also raised by Justice Weinstein in court.
When asked about when a trial would take place, the crown prosecutor replied that it would not be this year, due to delays in court.
"Eighteen months delay … that is a long time to wait. I have to assume the presumption of innocence," Justice Weinstein said.
In granting bail with a surety of $1 million, Justice Weinstein said Mr Farhat would be under strict home detention with an electronic bracelet and only allowed out accompanied by a parent.
"He will only be able to reside with his parents in Sydney's south with conditions such as daily police checks at St George Police Command, medical or legal appointments in the company of his parents."
Ms Rodger told the court Mr Farhat's parents would supervise him.
"The family is paying attention now if they weren't before," she said.
