Man who falsely claimed to have AK-47 at mosque avoids criminal conviction

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 3:47pm

Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 3:47pm

In short:

A 33-year-old man has been ordered to complete 60 hours of community service for threatening worshippers at a Brisbane mosque in May.

Louis Rapisarda told worshippers at the Masjid Taqwah Mosque in Bald Hills he was armed with an AK-47.

What's next?

Mr Rapisarda said he was "absolutely remorseful" and was not given a criminal conviction.

A man who admitted to falsely claiming to be armed with an assault rifle and threatening worshippers at a Brisbane Mosque last month says he is "absolutely remorseful".

Louis Rapisarda pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning to disturbing the peace at a place of worship and creating a public nuisance.

The court heard on the morning of May 10, while driving past Mitchelton Presbyterian Church, he yelled out "Allahu Akbar" to a group of people gathered outside.

He then drove to the Masjid Taqwah Mosque in Bald Hills and shouted the Arabic phrase again at members inside, before telling them he had an AK-47, the court heard.

His lawyers submitted Rapisarda had a bipolar diagnosis but was unmedicated at the time which caused manic episodes.

The incident was described to the court as being out of character for Rapisarda, who had no relevant criminal history.

A magistrate ordered Rapisarda to complete 60 hours of community service but did not record convictions.

Outside court Mr Rapisarda said he was "absolutely remorseful".

"I'd like to thoroughly apologise to the Muslim community," he said.

"I regret my actions."

In a statement, Chairman of the mosque Mohammed Akbery said the Muslim community in Bald Hills was left "shaken" and concerned for their safety by the incident.

"Heated rhetoric has real consequences for communities," he said.

"Our members are ordinary Australians and should never feel unsafe at their place of worship."

"Attempts to direct frustration or political grievances towards ordinary Muslim Australians are both unfair and misplaced."

Mr Akbery said he understood Rapisarda was "facing his own challenges" and it was hoped the experience would lead him to "reflection, understanding and a positive path forward".

"While the actions were deeply concerning, this has also been a reminder that fear, misinformation and division can affect people in different ways," he said.