PERTH, Australia — A man with a controversial immigration history faces new charges following an alleged violent robbery just days after his release on bail. Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 45, is one of four individuals accused of breaking into the home of Ninette and Philip Simons in the Girrawheen neighborhood in April 2024.
Doukoshkan, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated assault with the intent to rob, was released from the Yongah Hill Detention Centre in November 2023. His release came after a pivotal High Court ruling deemed indefinite detention for non-deportable detainees illegal. In response, the Albanese administration enacted laws allowing for the electronic monitoring of individuals released from such facilities.
Despite these measures, Doukoshkan managed to convince a District Court judge to grant him home detention bail in April. However, just six days later, he reportedly breached the terms by failing a drug test and admitting to methamphetamine use, leading to his return to custody.
In a court hearing on Thursday, defense attorney Hamish Glenister argued for Doukoshkan’s release, claiming the evidence against him is circumstantial. “The victims are unable to identify him, and no forensic evidence links him to the crime scene,” Glenister stated, expressing confidence in his client’s chances of acquittal.
The prosecution’s case, however, paints a starkly different picture. According to testimony, Doukoshkan is accused of playing a pivotal role during the home invasion, demanding access to a safe, restraining the victims, and forcibly taking personal belongings, including jewelry. The severity of the alleged offenses, which involved multiple co-offenders and resulted in physical harm to the victims, weighed heavily on the judge’s decision.
Judge Karen Shepherd emphasized the serious nature of the charges, stating that releasing Doukoshkan again would pose an unacceptable risk to the community. “This is not a charge the court should take lightly,” she remarked, noting the significant actions taken against the victims during the alleged crime.
Following the hearing, Doukoshkan’s bail application was denied, and he is set to appear in court again in May. Questions surrounding his repeated offenses and the implications of recent legal reforms continue to loomed large, sparking debate on the effectiveness of immigration policies and public safety measures in Australia.