FIVE men accused of being involved in a wild attack on media outside a Melbourne court were arrested today and charged with offences including assault and affray.
The men, who are relatives and friends of alleged terror group members, were released on bail after a brief appearance in Melbourne Magistrates' Court.
They are accused of an unprovoked attack on news photographers and cameramen who were filming them leaving court last Tuesday.
They were at the court to support nine men charged with being members of a terrorist group.</spa
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<span style='color:red'>Abdul Sayadi, 24, of Brunswick, Nasser Raad, 27, of North Coburg, Monzer Ramadan, 28, of Coburg, Majed Raad, 21, of Coburg, and Bassam Raad[
/color], 24, of Meadow Heights, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court after being arrested by police this morning.
Each has been charged with affray and assault.
Sayadi, Nasser Raad and Ramadan have also been charged with behaving in a riotous manner.
Senior Detective Dale Fitzgerald told the court a large media contingent followed the five men as they left the court last Tuesday and an altercation took place between a Seven Network cameraman, Sayadi and Ramadan.
As this occurred they attacked the cameraman and the other three men joined in the "unprovoked" assault, he said.
He said two Seven cameramen suffered injuries and one was punched in the face.
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br>T
he prosecution did not oppose bail for the men, including the condition they surrender their passports to police within 24 hours.
The men must also report to police weekly, notify them of any change of address and cannot attend any port of national departure or leave Australia.
Sen Det Fitzgerald said the men had strong fam
ily links in Lebanon and was concerned they could easily travel overseas if they held onto their passports.
Magistrate Paul Smith granted the men bail and ordered them to surrender their passports.
He adjourned the matter for a committal mention hearing on February 20.
High security surrounded the men's release from the court this afternoon, with a large media contingent waiting outside for them.
