November 01-2013
Two Iranians accused in Australia of attacking a man with a knife told a court they were actually defending a woman’s honor.
Hamid Reza Karimi faces the Magistrates Court charged with aggravated burglary with intent to cause harm and intentionally wound.
His co-accused, Amir Abbas Nikbin, 19, appeared on a charge of aggravated burglary with intent to cause harm.
They are being tried in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which is the federal capital enclave like the District of Columbia in the United States.
The court heard the alleged assault occurred after the two men discovered Nikbin’s sister was dating a womanizer.
The accused said they were concerned for the woman’s honor and went to the boyfriend’s home to confront him.
But the boyfriend was not at home and the two men instead became involved in an argument with his roommate.
Karimi then allegedly bashed the man on the head with a kitchen knife before threatening witnesses who were present. It was not immediately clear how the burglary charge evolved.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing the accused could interfere with witnesses and fail to appear at future hearings.
The prosecution also said Karimi posed a risk of committing further offences, as the conflict had not been resolved.
A police informant said both men had only arrived in Australia this year and had limited contacts in the country.
But defense lawyers argued Karimi and Nikbin had no criminal records, voluntarily handed themselves into police, and were willing to abide by strict bail conditions, including surrendering their passports and reporting to police daily.
Magistrate Bernadette Boss granted the pair bail. The trial is due to begin later this month.
