Cossacks confront man accused of destroying Orthodox graves at Sydney's Rookwood cemetery

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

March 24, 2016

Member of Sydney's Cossack community outside Burwood court house. Photo: Nick Moir Member of Sydney's Cossack community outside Burwood court house. Photo: Nick Moir
    

It is one way to get noticed – fronting up to a Sydney courthouse dressed in military uniforms saying you've brought a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

So on Thursday four members of Sydney's Cossack community, dressed in military garb went to Burwood Local Court to confront a man accused of destroying 50 Orthodox Christian graves at Sydney's Rookwood cemetery.

It was a move, the Russian nationalists said, to show their community is strong and they won't tolerate such cowardly acts.

"We want to make our presence here clear, our community doesn't tolerate this," one of the men, dressed in green fatigues with Russian military patches. "We want people to understand that the Russian community is a strong community and we won't have our heads in the sand."

Muhammad Ibrahim, is one of two accused of causing up to $500,000 worth of damage to the graves in November last year. The four men confronted Mr Ibrahim on his way into court, where he pleaded not guilty, and then again as he left.

The four chased Mr Ibrahim down the street telling him he was "a coward", to "fight the living not the dead" and that "Putin says hello".

Members of Sydney's Cossack community clash with Muhammad Ibrahim as he leaves court. Photo: Nick Moir Members of Sydney's Cossack community clash with Muhammad Ibrahim as he leaves court. Photo: Nick Moir
    

There was a small amount of pushing, shoving and shouting but Mr Ibrahim managed to get away largely without incident.

"We are very pleased that police made arrests because in previous times no arrests were made," the Cossack group's spokesman said.

"If anybody out there is ever thinking of vandalising our graves, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, this is a stern warning: do not vandalise them.

Muhammad Ibrahim leaves court. Photo: Nick Moir Muhammad Ibrahim leaves court. Photo: Nick Moir
    

"It's a very cowardly act, come and talk to us if you have a problem, but don't vandalise our graves."

Police allege that they stopped Mr Ibrahim and another man, aged 23, as they were leaving the cemetery having damaged more than 50 grave sites.

When officers searched the vehicle the pair were in, they also allegedly found illicit drugs.

Retired Russian soldiers at Burwood court, where a man charged with damaging Russian Orthodox graves faces charges. Photo: Nick Moir Retired Russian soldiers at Burwood court, where a man charged with damaging Russian Orthodox graves faces charges. Photo: Nick Moir
    

Mr Ibrahim will return to Burwood Local Court later this year.

Comments
Ray Walsh7/28/2016 1:33 am
Good on them--about time these scum idiots were taken to taken to task----now hopefully the courts will smash them with serious jail time---utter scum
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