Two southwest suburban men charged with hate crime and robbery appeared in court Tuesday in connection with an incident this summer when police said the men beat up a woman they believed to be a lesbian.

On the evening of June 28, a 34-year-old woman entered a Hickory Hills restaurant in the 7800 block of 95th Street and was confronted by two men, according to a release from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

Mohammad Shaban, 35, of Hickory Hills, and Akram Alshoweat, 22, of Oak Lawn, shouted at the woman in Arabic, and then punched and kicked her as she tried to leave, prosecutors said.

Although the woman's identity has not been released, a source close to the investigation said she lives in Palos Hills.

Prosecutors said both men were charged with misdemeanor battery until investigators—with the aid of a translator—determined the men had made anti-gay slurs before and during the beating.

Alshoweat was arrested that night at the restaurant, and Shaban turned himself over to police on Aug. 3. Bond for the men was set at $200,000 and $150,000, respectively.

Alshoweat also was charged with robbery for taking the woman's cell phone, keys and wallet after he lashed her with his belt, according to a Cook County spokeswoman.

Both men stood stone-faced and sharply dressed in court Tuesday on charges of hate crime, which carry a maximum prison sentence of seven years. During the brief status hearing, attorneys exchanged records they deemed critical to move the case forward.

On Wednesday, Assistant State's Attorney Mike Pekara said the case has been slow moving because there remains "evidence outstanding."

Defense attorney Greg Smith could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 21 at the Circuit Court of Cook County 5th Municipal District in Bridgeview.