The founder of a Gold Coast charity has been granted bail after being charged with more than 50 offences following investigations into multiple alleged sexual assault incidents on the Gold Coast.
Yas Daniel Matbouly, 50, is charged with 51 offences, including 34 counts of sexual assault, 14 counts of rape, two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of attempted rape.
Queensland Police allege that between April and November 2025 the 50-year-old Mermaid Beach man committed offences against three women who were all known to him.
Police out the front of the Serving Our People premises in Mermaid Beach. (ABC Gold Coast: Emily Dobson)
On Friday detectives conducted a search warrant at the Mermaid Beach headquarters of charity Serving Our People (SOP) and seized several items.
Mr Matbouly was arrested later that day after attending Southport Police Station.
Mr Matbouly showed no emotion as his matter was heard in the Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday.
Prosecutors objected to Mr Matbouly’s bail stating he was an unacceptable flight risk and at risk of reoffending.
Queensland Police carried out a search warrant Friday at the Serving Our People headquarters at Mermaid Beach. (ABC Gold Coast: Emily Dobson)
Tim Ryan KC refuted that and said although the charges were “serious in nature” the risks could be reduced through conditions.
“He presented himself voluntarily by arrangement at 6pm to the police station … in the context of the investigation, he surrendered himself in the face of the allegation,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Matbouly’s bail conditions include barring him from international travel and requiring him to report to Broadbeach Police Station twice-weekly.
He is also not allowed to make contact with the three women who made the complaints.
The matter was adjourned to February 19.
Speaking outside the court Mr Matbouly said he was cooperating with police.
Yas Matbouly is the founder of Serving Our People. (Supplied)
Charity praised by well-known businesses, identities, politicians
Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, SOP is marketed as “Australia’s fastest-growing charity”, providing support for the homeless and vulnerable including through food deliveries and free supermarkets across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Serving Our People is a charity on the Gold Coast. (ABC Gold Coast: Emily Dobson)
According to its 2025 annual report SOP is supported by about 1,300 volunteers and employs 11 full-time equivalent staff.
SOP has become one of the most well-known charities in south-east Queensland, receiving the support of major Gold Coast businesses and identities, and raising funds through auctions and luxury balls.
Its social media features a 2025 video message from decorated Australian director Baz Luhrmann offering his support for a fundraising ball hosted by major real estate firm Kollosche.
Yas Matbouly (right) with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli. (Facebook)
SOP’s charitable efforts have also received public support from Gold Coast politicians including state Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek, Housing Minister Sam O’Connor and federal opposition environment spokesperson Angie Bell.
Four SOP committee members resigned last year, three of those in the space of a week in late November and early December.
Mr Matbouly is also listed as the president of Goldbridge, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity based in Southport.
There are no allegations of wrongdoing by SOP. A spokesperson for the charity has been contacted for comment.