A French man accused of pulling a 20-centimeter knife on an Israeli man in Cairns, Australia, was denied bail by the Cairns Magistrates Court, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Friday. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Leo Raymund Cotene, was charged with common assault with serious vilification or hate crime circumstances of aggravation. The incident allegedly occurred at around 5 p.m. at Sheridan Street’s Mad Monkey Backpackers hostel on Thursday, according to ABC.
Bail Opposition and Legal Proceedings in Cairns Magistrates Court
During the court hearing, bail police prosecutor Olivier Claes opposed granting Cotene bail, citing the risk of further offending and endangering other members of the public, particularly those of Israeli origin or of Jewish faith. Claes told the court that the deliberateness of Cotene’s alleged crime would likely result in a prison sentence. Magistrate Tom Braes ordered that Cotene remain in custody pending his next court date on September 11. Findings outlined in the coverage indicate that Cotene arrived in Australia in November 2025, is free of any prior convictions, and has been employed in the building trade.
Defense Arguments and Alleged Anti-Israel Remarks
Defending Cotene, attorney Rowan King outlined the charges during the proceedings while pointing out that his client is not accused of physically hitting the Israeli national or engaging in any graver conduct. According to King, Cotene hugged the complainant, who told him not to touch him. King stated that Cotene then responded by saying he would hug him if he wanted, and hugged him a second time. Regarding the suspect’s alleged anti-Israel comments, King cited remarks including that the victim kills people in Gaza, that he is not staying in a hotel with an Israeli, and an explicit profanity directed at Israel.
Hostel Group Chat Context and Preexisting Animosity
Highlighting that the confrontation had deeper context, King pointed to existing friction between the complainant and fellow individuals staying at the hostel. Prior to the altercation, Cotene allegedly posted remarks about the target of the accusations within a messaging group designated as International Incel Investigating, a forum that ABC reported includes 13 additional residents of the hostel. An Instagram photo of the victim in an IDF uniform was allegedly posted in the group chat, with King reading aloud one of Cotene’s messages in court: Next time I see him at the hostel, we might go out somewhere without cameras.
Broader Security Concerns and Potential Next Steps
Australian Jewish Association (AJA) President Robert Gregory commented on the incident, stating that Jewish and Israeli visitors to the country should exercise caution. Gregory said he never imagined having to issue such a warning about the country, adding that antisemitism in Australia has deteriorated significantly in recent times and that hardly a day goes by without another disturbing incident being reported. Gregory concluded that while Australia remains a wonderful country, Jewish people visiting should be alert to the reality of the current environment. As the legal process continues, Cotene’s custody status is set to remain unchanged until his scheduled appearance before Magistrate Tom Braes on September 11.
Related reading