Posted on 02/17/2025 12:28:16 PM PST by Words Matter
Ziad Khawla, 25, is accused of attacking the youth following a chance encounter close to the city centre.
The Palestinian-born defendant appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary enquiry into the strength of the prosecution case.
He is charged with rape and two counts of sexual assault over the incident on March 2 last year.
It was previously disclosed that the teenager phoned police to claim he had just been attacked by a stranger who approached him near the Waterfront Hall.
The man was reported to have offered him a cigarette before they then walked a short distance to a disused nightclub building, according to the boy’s account.
The boy was then allegedly pushed onto the ground and subjected to a serious sexual assault.
Khawla, now with an address at Heatherbell Street in Belfast, was arrested following CCTV and forensic inquiries by police officers.
The accused denies the charges, insisting any interaction was only brief and was initiated by the complainant.
In court yesterday Khawla confirmed he understood the allegations that had been made against him.
Using an Arabic interpreter, he declined to give evidence or call any witnesses at this stage in proceedings.
District Judge Steven Keown backed the prosecution’s submissions that the accused has a prima facie case to answer.
“He will be returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed,” Mr Keown confirmed.
Khawla was granted the right to be represented by two barristers due to the seriousness of the charges.
He remains out on bail but is under strict conditions pending his arraignment hearing.
Khawla must also inform police if he ever plans to enter into a consensual sexual relationship with anyone apart from his wife
All they need the trial is for is to proclaim how them Irish people failed this poor rapefugee and how big of a welfare payment her deserves.
“ He remains out on bail ”
….does the rapist…
OUT ON BAIL
3 of the nastiest words in our dictionary
What is a “Palestinian-born defendant”? A Muslim born in Israel?
Hand him over to one of the paramilitary groups and then pick up his cigarette burn covered corpse from ditch outside of town later.
It’s not the nuslum terrorist’s* fault.
He couldn’t find any goats at all in the city of Belfast.
* of course he’s a terrorist - wouldn’t you be terrorized if he did that to you?
I am wondering if he screamed Allah Akbar, like his brethrrn did while raping and laughing on 10/7.
No employment needed
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