Ex-soldier involved in Zakaria's alleged unlawful return unreachable, court told

Key points

• A former SAS officer involved in the contested return of accused Sydney gangster Masood Zakaria cannot be contacted, days before he is due to give evidence in court. Zakaria's lawyers claim Nathan Heckel is a key witness in their bid to have murder charges dismissed.
• Zakaria's lawyers argue he was kidnapped after Turkish deportation, and are seeking a permanent stay of the charges. Documents show the Australian Federal Police paid Hart International more than $1 million for the escort.
• Senior police leaders are expected to be called as witnesses when the case begins this week.