Notorious property developer Salim Mehajer, who was previously convicted for violently assaulting his former girlfriend, has initiated a surprising legal move by applying for a domestic violence order against her. Mehajer, aged 39, served a five-year prison sentence for fraud and domestic violence offences before his release in July.
Legal Bid Amidst Ongoing Controversy
In documents submitted to Parramatta Local Court, Mehajer is seeking a two-year apprehended violence order (AVO) against the woman, who cannot be named due to legal protections for domestic violence victims. He alleges that since his release, she has monitored his movements, unlawfully accessed his iCloud account, and remotely disabled his electronic devices.
Allegations of Harassment and Safety Concerns
Mehajer reports feeling harassed, intimidated, and unsafe leaving his home. His application details repeated issues with his devices, claiming the woman changed passwords and linked her telephone number to his accounts. He argues this unauthorised access poses an ongoing risk, potentially exposing sensitive information from his tenure as deputy mayor of Auburn in the early 2010s.
It is understood that Mehajer has not reported these new accusations to the police. In May 2023, he was found guilty of six offences against the same woman, including intimidation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional suffocation with recklessness, and threatening to kill her mother.
Maintaining Innocence and Legal Hurdles
While acknowledging his fraud offences, Mehajer has maintained his innocence regarding the domestic violence convictions, claiming they "simply didn't happen." His appeal is currently before the Court of Criminal Appeal, with judgement reserved. He remains subject to an existing AVO that prohibits contact with the woman or travel to the NSW Central Coast.
Vexatious Litigant Status Complicates Case
To proceed with his AVO application, Mehajer must first convince the court to allow the case, as he was declared a "vexatious litigant" in 2022. This ruling bars him from launching civil proceedings in New South Wales courts without express permission, following his attempt to sue 17 defendants for $52 million over a failed development project that led to his bankruptcy.
Life After Prison and Future Plans
Since his release, Mehajer has maintained a relatively low profile, occasionally posting on his private Instagram account, appearing in court, and running errands in a Tesla Model 3. His strict parole conditions require drug and alcohol testing, participation in domestic violence programs if directed, and no communication with outlaw motorcycle gang members.
Autobiography in the Works
Mehajer recently informed his 128,000 followers that he is writing his memoirs, hinting at an explosive read. In a January Instagram post, he wrote, "I'll still be releasing a couple of chapters from my autobiography as a sneak peek... Nobody has been spared," ending with an upside-down smiley face emoji. Potential targets in the book may include former business partners, lawyers, ex-partners, and political rivals from his time on Auburn Council.
Rise to Prominence and Past Controversies
Mehajer gained notoriety after his extravagant 2015 wedding to Aysha Learmonth in Western Sydney, reportedly costing $1 million. The ceremony featured a helicopter arrival, a luxury vehicle motorcade, and doves, but stirred controversy by closing a street in Lidcombe and involving fake flyers to neighbours. Despite backlash from local council and police, Mehajer remained unapologetic, expressing ambitions to become the next "superstar."
