Prosecutors Admit Alleged Sydney Gangster Was Illegally Deported as Double-Murder Case Faces Legal Challenge

Australian prosecutors have admitted that alleged underworld figure Masood Zakaria was illegally deported from Türkiye to Australia in 2023, raising questions about whether the serious criminal charges against him can proceed.

The admission was made in the New South Wales Supreme Court on October 22, 2026, during a legal challenge brought by Zakaria, who is accused of murdering a father and son in Sydney in 2021.

The case has attracted significant attention because of allegations that Australian authorities paid private companies approximately A$1.1 million to arrange his return from Türkiye.

Accused of Killing Father and Son

Zakaria is charged over the murders of Salim Hamze and his father, Toufik Hamze, who were killed in Sydney in 2021 amid a violent conflict between rival underworld groups.

Investigators alleged that Zakaria, who was linked by police to the Alameddine crime family, fled Australia by boat before he could be charged. He was later located in Türkiye.

Because Australia did not have an extradition treaty with Türkiye, authorities pursued an alternative way to bring him back to face the charges.

Court Hears Deportation Appeal Was Still Pending

During the court hearing, NSW Director of Public Prosecutions prosecutor Chris Tan acknowledged that Zakaria was legally prohibited from being deported while his appeal against removal was awaiting a decision.

Zakaria’s lawyers have argued that he was effectively kidnapped by personnel from Hart International, a private security company allegedly involved in the operation. They also questioned the role of Skytraders, the company paid to provide the flight that brought him back to Sydney.

The defence is seeking to have the criminal charges permanently dismissed, arguing that the circumstances of his return amounted to an abuse of legal process.

The Australian Federal Police has maintained that its actions were lawful.

Security Contractors and Police Under Scrutiny

The proceedings have examined the roles played by senior law enforcement officials and private contractors in the operation.

The court heard evidence from police officers involved in the investigation and from individuals connected to the transfer. Photographs presented during the hearing appeared to show Zakaria wearing plastic restraints on the flight, while a security contractor disputed claims about how he had been restrained.

The pilot of the chartered aircraft also testified that armed Turkish police prevented him from leaving the plane after it returned to Istanbul following a bird strike during take-off.

The operation reportedly involved a four-day journey before Zakaria arrived back in Sydney in December 2023.

Could the Murder Charges Be Dismissed?

The court challenge could have major consequences for the prosecution. If the judge grants Zakaria’s application for a permanent stay, the murder charges against him could be prevented from proceeding.

The case may also have implications for other criminal investigations in which Australian authorities allegedly used similar arrangements to return fugitives from Türkiye.

The hearing was continuing before Justice Edward Muston, with further evidence expected from senior Australian law enforcement figures, including AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

For now, the court must determine whether the circumstances surrounding Zakaria’s deportation justify stopping the criminal proceedings. The admission of an unlawful deportation is a significant development, but it does not itself determine the outcome of his murder case.

Source:ABC