An alleged Sydney gangster, Masood Zakaria, is seeking to have his murder charges thrown out in the NSW Supreme Court. He claims he was illegally deported from Türkiye. The Australian Federal Police paid Hart International, a security firm, to bring him back in 2023, and the AFP says its actions were lawful. Zakaria's lawyers have compared the operation to a kidnapping. In court this week, a prosecutor conceded he was illegally deported, a key point in his defence. Senior AFP figures are yet to give evidence.
Prosecutors defending an alleged Sydney gangster against a bid to have his murder charges dismissed have admitted he was illegally deported to Australia in 2023. The admission came four days into Masood Zakaria's challenge in the NSW Supreme Court. Mr Zakaria is charged over the 2021 murders of Salim and Toufik Hamze. The case centres on whether his return from Istanbul was lawful, after the Australian Federal Police paid $1.1 million to two companies to secure it. Senior police and AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett are expected to give evidence.
Masood Zakaria, who faces charges over the 2021 killings of Salim and Toufik Hamze, is contesting the lawfulness of his removal from Türkiye to Australia. His lawyers allege he had requested being sent to Iraq, and that the Australian Federal Police paid $1.1 million to a private security company to bring him home. Mr Zakaria's counsel says he was effectively abducted and that the payment raises questions about secrecy. The AFP maintains its conduct was lawful. A Supreme Court hearing before Justice Edward Muston is underway, with testimony from senior law enforcement figures expected.
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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.
Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith has recorded a two-hour interview with Sydney radio host Ben Fordham, according to a source. Sections will air over several days next week on the Tapt Media network, with a full video version to be uploaded to YouTube. Mr Roberts-Smith faces murder charges linked to allegations that he ordered prisoners executed in Afghanistan and killed some himself, which he denies. Prosecutors may use any comments he makes to Fordham in court. The charges are before the New South Wales Local Court and are likely to take years to reach trial.
