03/18/2002 "Imam's son the 'devil'"

Imam's son the 'devil'
- By Jeremy Kelly (Herald Sun)

Victoria's most senior Islamic cleric labelled his son the devil for being a member of a gay-bashing gang.

Rexhep Idrizi told Melbourne Magistrates' Court his son Muhamed, 19, would not escape God's punishment for his alleged role in the attacks on gay men last week.

Mr Idrizi, chairman of the Board of Imams, listened as Sen-Det Stephen Russell told the court Muhamed Idrizi was a driving force in the premeditated attacks in St Kilda and Elwood last Wednesday night.

Sen-Det Russell said Muhamed had made "full and frank" admissions about the attacks that left the victims terrified, one with a 20cm gash to his head from a machete. The court heard Muhamed Idrizi and four co-offenders celebrated Muhamed's birthday with a dinner then went on what he allegedly called a "poofter bashing" mission.

The first victim was chased in Alma Park, St Kilda, then repeatedly kicked, punched and struck over the head with a machete "like you would smash a coconut". One of the co-offenders told police the machete blow would have sliced off the head of the 29-year-old victim had it hit his neck, the court heard. The gang then robbed the man, stripped him and taunted him that he was going to be raped, Sen-Det Russell said.

The gang later attacked two other men in an Elwood park. Muhamed Idrizi, of Maple Cr, Hoppers Crossing, applied for bail. He faces multiple assault and robbery charges. Prosecutor Mara Sucic opposed Mr Idrizi's release and told Magistrate Lisa Hannan they were frightening attacks where the victims had almost been hunted like prey. Rexhep Idrizi said he would watch his son day and
night and was prepared to put up a surety if his son was released.

"If he wants to lose his father's house then good luck to him" Mr Idrizi said. He said his son had "been the devil this month". "God will punish him," he said. Ms Hannan released Mr Idrizi on bail with strict
conditions including a curfew, a A$10,000 surety and counselling as directed.