Prosecutors have argued that if former nightclub owner John Ibrahim had been in a car that was accidentally targeted by two alleged gunmen, one of them would have “fired the shot.”
Yousif Zrayka, 21, and Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi, 24, are accused of plotting to shoot Ibrahim in a murder plot that failed on July 25 near his home in Sydney’s Dover Heights.
Zrayka was refused bail following a hearing at the High Court on Tuesday, after the court heard he was reportedly still wearing a balaclava and gloves when he was apprehended.
The men allegedly turned off Ibrahim’s street and targeted two vehicles they mistakenly believed to be his, with Tupoulahi accused of going so far as to raise his weapon at the driver of the second car .
“Had the intended victim been in the (vehicle), there is no doubt that (Tupoulahi) would have taken the shot,” prosecutors said in a written submission to the court.
In their recommendation to deny bail, prosecutors argued that Zrayka faced an “overwhelming” case against him, with much of the incident captured on CCTV footage.
“Police seized phones and mapped out the lead-up to the conspiracy to commit a murder crime,” the prosecutor said.
“There was a significant level of planning involved.”
The two men allegedly cordoned off the street where John Ibrahim (pictured right) lives and targeted two vehicles they wrongly believed belonged to the nightclub’s former owner.
The men are said to have fled near Ibrahim’s home after police were called, leading to a short chase.
When the men had to stop because of heavy traffic, Zrayka surrendered, while Tupoulahi was able to resist attempts to arrest him and flee to nearby properties, according to an alleged facts document.
“During this time, Tupoulahi wore his balaclava to instill fear of residents inside their homes,” the document said.
It says Tupoulahi was tasered and arrested after being disturbed by a resident who had hidden him on the side of their home.
“The prosecution alleges that the actions of Tupoulahi and Zrayka have all the hallmarks of a contract killing by organized crime,” the document said.
It brands Ibrahim as an important member of the community, who has relatives with links to organized crime.
At the time of the alleged offense, Zrayka was on a parole order after he was found on a flight from Tasmania with $45,000 cash strapped to his body, prosecutors alleged.
Prosecutors said in a written statement that if Mr Ibrahim (pictured right) had been in the vehicle, one of the alleged gunmen would have taken the shot.
The men are said to have fled near Ibrahim’s home after police were called, leading to a brief chase before being captured by police (pictured shows one of the alleged shooters arrested by police)
They said that based on this, together with the alleged murder plot, the court would rule that he must have criminal links.
The parties agreed that if the case were to go to trial, it would not be until the end of 2025 at the earliest.