The first wife of former league star Hazem El Masri has rushed to the defence of her ex, who was charged with domestic violence offences after assault allegations from his new partner.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Arwa Abousamra, who split from the Bulldogs rugby league legend in 2014, says she has known him for 18 years, and for 13 of those were happily married.
“Hazem never as much as raised his voice at me, even in an argument,” she said in a statement.
“We separated two years ago, but have remained best friends.To believe he would ever strike a woman is in comprehensible. Hazem’s respect for women is beyond reproach as is his character. Just ask the countless women in his life: a mother, two daughters, three sisters, seven nieces, and one best friend.”
El Masri’s current wife, Douah El-Cherif, walked to Bankstown police station to make a complaint on Monday night. El Masri, a former White Ribbon ambassador, was charged on Monday night with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
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