Salim Mehajer released on bail after arrest for 'threatening' witness

After serving 11 months in jail, Salim Mehajer tasted just 13 days of freedom before police came knocking.

He was arrested late yesterday and spent a night in the cells after breaching bail conditions, by emailing one of the eight witnesses he is not allowed to contact.

The chain of emails were sent to Hassan Kanj, who said the pair "used to be like brothers but not anymore."

In one of the emails Mehajer accused Kanj of a crime, writing "in respect to breaking into a home at Vaucluse, which is an automatic 5 years jail," and in another saying to Kanj "kiss your kids for me, Salim."

In Burwood Local Court today, the solicitor for the Crown said the emails were "somewhat threatening" and "offensive" and opposed his bail, on the grounds that it was interfering with a witness.

Mehajer took the stand today, admitting to sending the emails and "unintentionally" breaching his bail, saying he was confused because he had "two sets of conditions," and that he didn't read the document that he signed in Cooma jail properly.

He told the court he "genuinely thought he wasn't a witness."

Magistrate Viney disagreed that the emails were threatening, but had stern words for Mehajer.

"Mr Mehajer has to take some responsibility that he finds himself in jail today because he didn't read his bail requirements," she said.

Magistrate Viney granted the 32-year-old bail but added some conditions, including that he report daily to Bankstown police station and that police can request emails twice a week.

The bail conditions Mehajer breached relate to charges of identity fraud. He is accused of making someone else take the fall for four speeding fines to avoid losing his licence.

The alleged offences date back to 2012 and 2013 but Mehajer was only charged last month while he was in Cooma jail, where he was serving time for electoral fraud.

Mehajer had no comment for the media awaiting his release.

His barrister Dymphna Watkins said it was an "excellent result, the right result."

And when asked if he will stick to his bail conditions, she said he "certainly will."