<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A prominent surgeon and partner of a former state premier has been excused from attending his first court appearance on three counts of alleged rape.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/reza-adib-charged-queensland-news/1c2893bb-c064-48b0-8b62-24e55573bdd8" rel="" target="_blank" title="Vahid Reza Adib"><span>Vahid Reza Adib</span></a><span>, the partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, was due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Adib's lawyer, Dan Rogers, told Magistrate Jane Bentley his client was on bail, after attending Southport Police station earlier this month.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-politics-live-updates-donald-trump-visits-china-iran-israel-middle-east-war-blog-rolling-updates/f2057ed4-dc11-410e-ac79-901ea855e9b4" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Trump feted on arrival in Beijing with powerful figures in tow</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>VICTORIA:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/men-charged-with-drugs-and-weapon-trafficking-near-geelong/5a1a310d-bd12-4e1d-b75c-24fe8f83c324" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Two charged with weapons, drugs offences after police raid rural properties</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I ask that his appearance be excused," Rogers said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bentley granted Adib's application not to be required to appear.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/vahid-reza-adib-excused-from-attending-first-court-appearance-on-rape-charges/2fc280c7-3aaa-4c99-8ddf-f9f0596a3773" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Adib was charged on May 1 with three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of sexual assault after police searched the bariatric surgeon's Gold Coast apartment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police allege Adib, 65, sexually assaulted a woman aged in her 30s at a residence in Burleigh Heads on March 30.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>During the brief mention on Thursday, Bentley ordered police provide a brief of evidence to Rogers by June 23.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The matter was adjourned to July 7.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Rogers did not comment when asked why Adib was not present in court by the large group of reporters outside court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Adib claims to have performed more than 20,000 obesity treatment operations, specialising in laparoscopic procedures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He formed a relationship with Palaszczuk in 2021.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of Palaszczuk.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Palaszczuk resigned as Queensland's premier and a state Labor MP in December 2023.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div>