Charity founder denies dozens of sexual assault chargesMaeve Bannister and Melissa MeehanAAPSun, 1 February 2026 2:22PM
A Queensland charity founder has denied sexual assault and rape allegations after he was charged with multiple offences against three women.
Yas Daniel Matbouly, 50, stepped down from his Gold Coast charity Serving Our People on Friday following police raids on its head office.
He faced Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday, charged with 51 offences including 34 counts of sexual assault and 14 of rape.
He is also accused of two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one of attempted rape.
But Matbouly said the allegations were false and he intended to defend the matter in court.
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“The charges brought against me are serious and extreme. Claims of this magnitude require evidence and not headlines, speculation or trial by media,” he told AAP in a written statement on Sunday.
“I will not litigate this case publicly, but I will defend myself fully, aggressively, and transparently in a court of law, where facts matter.”
Police allege Matbouly committed the offences against three women aged in their 20s between April and November 2025.
He was charged after handing himself in to police following Friday’s raids on his charity offices and was remanded in custody.
Matbouly said he had been actively working to step down as chief executive of Serving Our People since February 2025 in order to pursue other ventures.
“This decision predates these allegations,” he said.
“I have given my heart and soul to the mission of that organisation, and to help our fellow Australians in need, and I am deeply proud of the work we have done and the impact it has had.”
The charity was founded in 2020 with the stated aim to “deliver anything to anyone in need”.
There is no suggestion the charity has been involved in or is accused of any wrongdoing.
Matbouly was granted bail but is banned from international travel and must report to Broadbeach Police Station twice a week.
He is also not allowed to contact the alleged victims.
The case has been adjourned to February 19.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
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