Sydney identity John Ibrahim was target of failed murder plot at ...

19 hours ago

3 hours agoThu 26 Sep 2024 at 1:57am

John Ibrahim has been revealed as the target of an alleged murder plot. (ABC News)

John Ibrahim - Figure 1
Photo ABC News
In short:

Two men have been charged with conspiracy to murder and several firearm-related offences.

Former Sydney nightclub owner John Ibrahim has been revealed as the intended target.

What's next?

The cases against the two accused men were adjourned until October.

Sydney identity John Ibrahim was the intended target of an alleged conspiracy to murder which police say was well-planned but poorly executed, it can now be revealed.

Yousif Zrayka and Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi, both in their 20s, were arrested in Dover Heights in Sydney's eastern suburbs in July after a foot pursuit by police.

They are each facing a charge of conspiracy to murder, in addition to several firearm-related offences including possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing a loaded firearm in a public place and possessing ammunition without holding a licence.

John Ibrahim - Figure 2
Photo ABC News

Police were first called to attention when one of the two men was reportedly walking through George Street with a firearm by his side.  (ABC News)

In late July they were denied bail, after a police prosecutor told Downing Centre Local Court the men were "caught red-handed", with the plot allegedly involving two pistols, jerry cans of fuel, balaclavas, gloves and a stolen vehicle with cloned plates.

The incident was "well planned but very poorly executed", Sergeant Adrian Walsh said.

Ibrahim name originally suppressed

During the bail hearing, lawyer Abbas Soukie, representing Mr Ibrahim, a high-profile former nightclub owner, requested a suppression order over the name of his client.

While an interim order was made, Mr Soukie today told Magistrate Daniel Covington the matter was no longer pressed.

The cases were adjourned until October.

The court previously heard that prior to police being called, the two accused allegedly approached two vehicles of a similar make and model to their intended target.

During one occasion, Mr Tupoulahi allegedly approached the vehicle, causing a witness in that vehicle to put their hands in the air as a pistol was brandished in their direction.

The court heard that the witness, who also had a child with them, locked eyes with the accused for approximately 10 seconds before he got back in his vehicle.

The conspiracy to murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

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