The sister of a Victorian man accused of coercing his spouse into leaving Australia will give proof in opposition to him when he fights the cost in courtroom.
Mohamed Ahmed Omer, 50, is accused in of deceiving his then-wife into travelling to Sudan and leaving her stranded in an effort to cancel her Australian visa.
He’s the primary particular person in Victoria to be charged with exit trafficking, in accordance with Australian Federal Police.
Omer appeared by way of videolink earlier than Melbourne Magistrates Court docket on Thursday, asking for his bail to be diversified to permit him to talk to his sister Martha Omer.
Ms Omer is considered one of 11 prosecution witnesses anticipated to present proof earlier than a three-day committal listening to later this 12 months, the courtroom heard.
She additionally gave a press release to police concerning the case.
Prosecutor Ellie McDonald agreed for bail to be diversified, however requested that Omer can’t talk about the courtroom matter or police assertion along with his sister.
Justice of the Peace Kieran Gilligan agreed and ordered for a committal to be heard from November 14 to 16.
He requested the prosecution why the matter had taken 5 years to come back to courtroom.
“There’s been numerous points at play, Your Honour,” Ms McDonald mentioned.
“I am in all probability higher off not asking then, by no means choose a battle when you do not know who you are combating,” Mr Gilligan replied.
The courtroom beforehand heard Omer has lived in Australia for 20 years and has no felony document, however was interviewed over the allegations a number of instances in 2016.
If convicted, he faces a most sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment.
Omer stays on bail and is barred from contacting all different witnesses.
He should alert the prosecution a minimum of 48 hours earlier than any interstate or worldwide journey, resulting from issues about his household ties to Sudan.
