But a lawyer acting on behalf of the Ibrahim family has rubbished the claims, saying Mr Ibrahim suffered from sleep apnoea and accused the APA of blaming the family for Mr Ibrahim's death. Loading “Mr Ibrahim did not take drugs,” Raed Rahal, partner at Cambridge Law said in a statement on Monday. “He had booked to travel overseas with his family for the purposes of undertaking the gastric sleeve operation. Sadly, this travel was to occur today,” Mr Rahal said. “The pain family and friends are suffering at this time has been unjustifiably and unnecessarily amplified by the self-serving, reckless and unfounded comments made by [the APA].

“The inaccurate comments made on behalf of the association, which in essence, blames the family for the death of Mr Ibrahim, are totally devoid of compassion and empathy." Many family members and friends came to Hamze Ibrahim’s side when they heard of his death. Mr Rahal said Mr Ibrahim’s family did not assault paramedics, nor did they prevent paramedics from treating Mr Ibrahim. Paramedics were called to Iris Avenue in Riverwood on Sunday. “The paramedics indicated to Mr Ibrahim’s family that they could not revive him. This news was, understandably, met with distress and an emotional reaction from Mr Ibrahim’s family,” Mr Rahal said.

Mr Ibrahim had a very large extended family living nearby. Many family members and friends came to Mr Ibrahim’s side when they heard of his death, Mr Rahal said. “The large number of people who did attend were emotional and many had difficulty accepting what had occurred, however, none were violent or threatening towards paramedics or police,” he said. The sheer number of people, and their tense, emotional state may have prompted the paramedics to call for police assistance. “The calling of police was not as a consequence of any direct threat or assault on a paramedic,” Mr Rahal said. The large number of people who did attend were emotional and many had difficulty accepting what had occurred. Raed Rahal, partner at Cambridge Law

Fairfax Media has confirmed roughly 15 police officers responded to paramedics' call for assistance in response to the large number of people, and not in response to a specific act of aggression. The APA also grossly exaggerated the number of police officers who attended the scene in its initial report, and subsequently released a statement acknowledging this. “Mr Ibrahim was a hard working and dedicated family man who was loved and respected by family and friends," Mr Rahal said. Hamze Ibrahim has been remember as a hard working and dedicated family man. “He leaves behind a wife, a mother, siblings and a large extended family who are all devastated at his sudden passing.”