Man Pleads Not Guilty to Racially Aggravated Assault of Indigenous Children in Australia

Matej Radelic, a 45-year-old man from Broome, Western Australia, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of racially aggravated assault for allegedly restraining three young Indigenous children with cable ties. The incident occurred on March 5 when police were called to a vacant property in the Broome suburb of Cable Beach, where the children, aged 6, 7, and 8, were found swimming in a pool.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing two of the children with their wrists tied, crying and pleading for their release. The video sparked outrage and condemnation from the local community and Indigenous leaders. Police found two of the children still cable-tied when they arrived at the scene, while the third child had escaped and alerted adult family members.

Radelic, a local tradesman, allegedly called the police to say he had 'restrained' the children for causing damage to the property. However, it is alleged that the force used to restrain the children was not proportionate to the circumstances. Radelic was taken into custody, interviewed, and charged with three counts of common assault in circumstances of aggravation or racial aggravation.

Why this matters: The incident has highlighted ongoing racial tensions and discrimination faced by Indigenous Australians. It has reignited calls for greater efforts to address systemic racism and protect the rights and welfare of Indigenous children.

Appearing before the Broome Magistrates Court for his second hearing, Radelic acknowledged the charges and pleaded not guilty. His defense lawyer requested full disclosure from the prosecution and suggested a September trial date. Radelic was granted bail on the same terms as his first hearing and is due to reappear in court on September 12. "The aggravating circumstance is that this offense occurred in the presence of a child," the court recognized, according to court documents.

Key Takeaways

• Man pleads not guilty to racially aggravated assault of 3 Indigenous children
• Incident involved restraining children with cable ties, sparking outrage
• Accused claimed he 'restrained' children for property damage, but force was disproportionate
• Incident highlights ongoing racial tensions and discrimination faced by Indigenous Australians
• Accused granted bail, trial set for September, court recognized aggravating circumstance