Migrant Detainee Charged by Police for ‘Aggravated Robbery’ of 73-Year-Old Grandmother

Activists in support of the refugees gather outside Park Hotel where 45 refugees are detained in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 6, 2022. Diego Fedele/Getty Images

An immigration detainee released by the Australian government has been arrested in relation to the alleged aggravated robbery of 73 year-old grandmother Ninette Simons.

Perth grandmother Ms. Simons was knocked unconscious after being punched in the face multiple times after opening the door to several people allegedly impersonating police officers.

The phrase “alleged” must be used to describe an incident until the person is proven to be guilty of a crime.

Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan, 43, is one of several who have been charged concerning the incident on April 16.

The attack follows the release of 100 immigration detainees into the community in late 2023 following a High Court decision on Nov. 8 that found indefinite immigration detention was unlawful, overturning a 20-year precedent.

The Labor government has attracted criticism for not pre-empting the possible release of the detainees—some with violent criminal records.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was inappropriate to comment further given WA Police were investigating the assault.

“Of course, the state bail schemes are run by states by definition–but given the matter is under investigation it’s inappropriate to comment further,” he told media.

“Our thoughts and the thoughts of all Australians are with those affected by this.”

Opposition Blames Government for Allowing Situation to Worsen

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the prime minister and relevant ministers need to front up and explain how circumstances became so dire.

“The reality is that crime is a huge issue in many parts of our country, and the federal government now is adding to that by releasing these hardcore criminals out onto the street,” Mr. Dutton told the Today Show.

“And the question has to be asked why the Commonwealth didn’t oppose bail when this individual was before the court in February, so had he been kept in custody in immigration detention or a watch house, or facility otherwise, he would have been off the streets.”

The released detainees were set up with ankle monitoring bracelets, tough curfews, and criminal penalties for breaching visa conditions following their release into the community.

We Feel Deeply for Ninette: Minister

Meanwhile, Industry Minister Ed Husic has admitted the government is “deeply concerned” but claimed it was subject to the court decision.

“We are deeply concerned about what we have seen, we have had to respond to a court decision that required the release of those detainees and put in place measures to be able to protect the Australian public as much as we possibly can,” he said on ABC television.

“Clearly, we will have more to say about this, but feel deeply for Ninette, for what they’ve gone through, and we will take every step required of us.”

Assailants Impersonated Police Officers

In a statement, WA Police said they had charged two men and a woman with offences related to the aggravated home burglary in Girrawheen on April 16.

“The victims—a 76-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman—were at their home on Allinson Drive when it will be alleged, about 7 p.m., three people attended the home purporting to be police officers,” police said in a statement.

Police claim the 76-year-old man opened the door and was immediately pushed to the ground before he had his hands bound behind his back.

The 73-year-old woman was then held to the ground and punched in the face several times, causing her to lose consciousness, according to police.

“It will be further alleged; the accused persons and their co-offender stole over $200,000 worth of jewellery and other items before fleeing the home on foot,” police said.

Handcuffs were found along with a WA Police badge wallet and hat, along with several items of jewellery at another Perth home.

Detectives issued multiple search warrants in the Perth suburb of Nollamara on April 27.

“A 38-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were arrested at the home. The 38-year-old man was charged with a number of offences relating to the aggravated home burglary.”

On April 28, police then executed a search warrant at Balcatta and arrested a 48 year-old woman who they alleged drove the accused to the burglary site.

At about 5.30 p.m. on April 28, a 43-year-old man was arrested during the execution of a search warrant on Cape Street in Osborne Park.

“Jewellery items were recovered at the home and he was subsequently charged in relation to the aggravated home burglary,” police said.

What Did the High Court Rule?

The federal government was forced to release the detainees after a ruling by the High Court in the case of NZYQ vs the Minister for Immigration.

NZYQ was the pseudonym given to a stateless Rohingya man who was held in detention because no other country was willing to resettle him, as he had been convicted of a child sex offence.

The order declared that—due to the absence of any real prospect that the plaintiff will be removed from Australia in the foreseeable future, a situation that has and will continue to persist—the plaintiff’s detention and continued detention were both unlawful.

Lawyers for NZYQ revealed the Australian government had tried to deport him to six countries, including the United States, the UK, New Zealand, and Canada.

In response, the government introduced the Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Bridging Visas, Serious Offenders and Other Measures) Bill in late 2023.

These laws passed the parliament, enabling the court to order the detention of the most serious offenders.

This included situations where the offenders pose an unacceptable risk of committing serious violent or sexual offences.