Brisbane bariatric surgeon Vahid Reza Adib, the partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, has been charged with rape, sexual assault and deprivation of liberty. The 57-year-old voluntarily attended Southport police station on Friday and was granted bail.
Police allege Adib sexually assaulted a woman in her 30s at a Goodwin Terrace residence on 30 March. Following investigations, detectives executed a crime scene warrant at the property on 30 April, seizing several items. Television footage showed police searching Adib's Burleigh Heads apartment on Thursday.
Adib faces three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of sexual assault. His lawyer, Dan Rogers, stated that Adib is 'shocked' by the allegations and will 'vigorously defend the charges'. Rogers emphasised that Adib is presumed innocent and is primarily concerned about his family and patients.
Palaszczuk, who was on a promotional tour for her memoir, cancelled several media interviews but attended a library event on Tuesday, stating she was 'not aware' of any investigation. She did not respond to journalists' questions.
Adib is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on 14 May. He has performed over 20,000 operations and runs an obesity clinic at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane.
