- Yas Matbouly charged with 51 offences
- He founded charity Serving Our People
A charity boss has been charged with multiple offences following an investigation into the alleged sexual assaults of three women.
Yas Daniel Matbouly, 50, stepped down from his charity, Serving Our People (SOP), at Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast after police raided the head office.
There is no suggestion the charity has been involved in or is accused of any wrongdoing.
He has since been 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.
Police allege Matbouly committed the offences against three women aged in their 20s between April and November last year.
Matbouly handed himself in to authorities shortly after the police raid and was taken to Southport Police Station on Friday.
Appearing at Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday, prosecutors argued against granting bail to Matbouly.
Yas Daniel Matbouly (pictured) has been charged with 51 offences after police raided his charity’s Gold Coast headquarters on Friday
Matbouly’s charity Serving Our People (SOP) has been supported by politicians including Queensland Premier David Crisafulli (both pictured)
They argued that bail should not be approved due to the seriousness of the offences and concerns that Matbouly was a flight risk.
Defence lawyer Tim Ryan KC reportedly told the court any risks could be mitigated by tougher bail conditions.
He indicated his client had taken the matter seriously, stepping down from the charity following the police raid.
‘He presented himself voluntarily by arrangement at 6pm to the police station,’ Mr Ryan said, according to ABC News.
‘In the context of the investigation, he surrendered himself in the face of the allegation.’
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, all of whom are in their 20s and were known to him.
Outside the court, reporters asked Matbouly if he was a threat to the community. He replied: ‘No’.
Police allege three women were assaulted by Matbouly between April and November 2025
Matbouly founded the charity Serving Our People (SOP) in 2020. There is no suggestion that the organisation has been involved in or is accused of any wrongdoing
Matbouly confirmed his active cooperation with police during their investigation. He has not yet entered a plea and the matter was adjourned until February 19.
SOP was founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been described as ‘Australia’s fastest-growing charity’, with 1300 volunteers and 11 full-time staff.
The charity, which has previously collaborated with government officials and Hollywood director Baz Luhrmann, delivers free food to those in need.
Last year, Luhrmann recorded a supportive video message for a fundraising ball for SOP, later shared on social media.
Matbouly has been pictured delivering food as part of the charity’s work alongside Queensland Premier David Crisafulli.
SOP has also been supported by state Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek, Housing Minister Sam O’Connor and federal opposition environment spokesperson Angie Bell.
It is understood four committee members of SOP resigned in 2025, three of whom left within a week between late November and early December, ABC News reports.
The Daily Mail has contacted Matbouly through his lawyer, Mr Ryan, as well as reaching out to SOP for comment.
