Arabic version: إيداع رحّالة فرنسي الحبس الاحتياطي على خلفية تهمة اعتداء في كيرنز

According to ABC News, French backpacker Leo Raymund Cotene, 25, has been denied bail and remanded in custody after appearing in Cairns Magistrates Court on a charge of common assault with serious vilification or hate crime circumstances of aggravation.

The charge follows allegations that Mr Cotene approached an Israeli national at the Mad Monkey Backpackers on Sheridan Street in Cairns at about 5pm on August 13. His lawyer, Rowan King, told the court that Mr Cotene allegedly hugged the complainant, was told not to touch him, and then hugged him again. The court heard he allegedly reached into a bag and produced a 20-centimetre knife, though there was no allegation he struck the man.

The court also heard allegations that Mr Cotene made anti-Israeli comments, including comments concerning Gaza, Israel and staying in a hotel with an Israeli person. Mr King questioned whether the aggravated circumstance was based on religion, saying the alleged comments related to the man’s citizenship or nationality rather than his religion. He said his client had told him there was “more to the story” and that there had been “animosity” involving the Israeli man and other people at the hostel.

Mr Cotene and 13 other backpackers were said to be members of a group chat called International Incel Investigating. The court heard the group obtained a social media photo of the complainant and posted it in the chat. Mr King said Mr Cotene had sent two messages, including one referring to going somewhere without cameras if he saw the complainant at the hostel.

Police prosecutor Olivier Claes opposed bail, citing concerns about further offending and risks to members of the public, particularly people of Israeli origin or Jewish faith. Magistrate Tom Braes rejected the bail application. Mr Cotene, who has been in Australia since November 2025 and has no criminal history in Australia or France, is due to return to court on September 11.