French man denied bail in Australia over alleged knife threat to Israeli tourist
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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Under investigation
- A French man, Leo Raymund Cotene, is accused of pulling a knife on an Israeli tourist in Cairns, Australia.
- The incident allegedly involved anti-Israel remarks, and Cotene was denied bail by a Cairns court.
- He faces charges including common assault with hate crime circumstances, with his next court date set for September 11.
A French national, Leo Raymund Cotene, has been denied bail in Cairns, Australia, after allegedly pulling a knife on an Israeli tourist and making anti-Israel remarks. The Cairns Magistrates Court ordered Cotene to remain in custody pending his next court appearance on September 11.
the risk of further offending and endangering other members of the public, particularly those of Israeli origin or those of Jewish faith.
Cotene, 25, faces charges of common assault with serious vilification or hate crime circumstances of aggravation. The incident reportedly occurred around 5 p.m. on a Thursday at the Mad Monkey Backpackers hostel on Sheridan Street. Bail police prosecutor Olivier Claes opposed bail, citing the risk of further offending and endangering the public, particularly individuals of Israeli or Jewish faith.
He's hugged the complainant, who has told him not to touch him. [Cotene] then responded, 'I'll hug you if I want.' He's then hugged him a second time.
Claes indicated that the alleged "deliberateness" of Cotene's actions could lead to a prison sentence. While Cotene has lived in Australia since November 2025 and has no prior criminal record, his lawyer, Rowan King, described the allegations. King stated that Cotene hugged the complainant, who had asked not to be touched, responding, "I'll hug you if I want." King emphasized that Cotene is not suspected of physically striking the Israeli man.
'You kill people in Gaza', 'I'm not staying in a hotel with an Israeli' and 'F*** Israel.'
Regarding the alleged anti-Israel comments, King cited them as including, "You kill people in Gaza," "I'm not staying in a hotel with an Israeli," and "F*** Israel." King suggested there was "more to the story," mentioning pre-existing "animosity" between the victim and other hostel guests. Cotene's messages in a group chat called "International Incel Investigating" were also presented, including one that read, "Next time I see him at the hostel, we might go out somewhere without cameras." The Australian Jewish Association president advised Jewish and Israeli visitors to exercise caution in Australia due to a perceived deterioration of antisemitism.
Next time I see him at the hostel, we might go out somewhere without cameras.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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