A dramatic development has emerged in the high-profile case of two Sydney nurses accused of making anti-Semitic threats against Israeli patients, after a judge ruled that the viral video that sparked worldwide outrage will not be admitted as evidence at their upcoming criminal trials.

Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 27, and Ahmad Rashad Nadir, 28, became the focus of international attention after a video circulated online last year in which they allegedly threatened Israeli patients while employed at Bankstown Hospital in Sydney.

Following a two-day court hearing earlier this month, Judge Michael McHugh ruled that the video must be excluded from both trials. The central legal question was whether the recording had been made without the nurses’ consent. Under New South Wales law, recording a private conversation without the consent of those involved is generally prohibited.

In his decision, Judge McHugh said he had reached the “firm view” that all of the video evidence should be excluded from the proceedings.

The ruling represents a major setback for prosecutors, as the video was the centerpiece of a case that drew condemnation from Jewish communities in Australia, Israel, and around the world.

Abu Lebdeh has pleaded not guilty to charges including using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend and threatening violence against a group. Nadir has pleaded not guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend. Both remain free on bail.

Defense attorneys argued that without the video evidence, the prosecution’s case may be severely weakened. Lawyers for both nurses suggested authorities will now have to determine whether the case can continue.

The controversy led NSW Health to suspend both nurses from their positions. The pair were also banned for two years from working with participants in Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The case is expected to return to court later this year as prosecutors consider their next steps following the exclusion of the key piece of evidence.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)