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Andrew Stafford

Ex-premier's partner on rape, sexual assault charges

Reza Adib (left) is facing charges of rape, deprivation of liberty and sexual assault. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

The high-profile partner of a former state premier is facing charges of rape, deprivation of liberty and sexual assault.

Surgeon Reza Adib, whose partner is former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, fronted Southport police station early on Friday afternoon accompanied by a lawyer.

Adib's luxury Gold Coast apartment was raided by police on Thursday afternoon, just as Ms Palaszczuk was about to attend an event launching her memoir.

Reza Adib attended a Gold Coast police station with his lawyer after his apartment was raided. (Darren England/AAP VIDEO)

Several items were seized from the property after detectives executed a crime scene warrant following extensive investigations.

Police will allege Adib sexually assaulted a woman aged in her 30s at the residence in Burleigh Heads on March 30.

The 65-year-old has been charged with three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of sexual assault. 

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of Ms Palaszczuk.

Reza Adib (left) leaves police station
Police will allege Reza Adib sexually assaulted a woman aged in her 30s. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Adib is due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on May 14.

The obesity surgeon claims to have performed more than 20,000 operations, specialising in laparoscopic procedures. 

He formed a relationship with Ms Palaszczuk in 2021.

The shock development comes as Ms Palaszczuk is engaged in a promotional tour for her book "The Politics of Being Me".

She was at an event on the Gold Coast just after news of the investigation broke.

Reza Adib's apartment block
Several items were seized by police from Reza Adib's Gold Coast apartment. (JASON O’BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)

Questioned by a journalist in the audience, she said she knew nothing about the turn of events and was unable to comment.

Ms Palaszczuk, who was due to begin speaking at 6.30pm, had slipped into the Robina venue 90 minutes early. 

She has since cancelled several upcoming events.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

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