Accused gangster challenges legality of deportation from Turkey
Masood Zakaria, charged with 2021 murders, says the AFP illegally deported him from Turkey and paid $1.1 million to bring him back.
Masood Zakaria, accused of murdering Salim and Toufik Hamze in 2021, is challenging his deportation from Turkey to Sydney in the Supreme Court. The 31-year-old's lawyers claim he asked to be sent to Iraq instead and that the Australian Federal Police paid security firms $1.1 million to bring him back to Australia in 2023.
Zakaria left Australia on a fishing vessel in 2021 before he could be charged and was found in Turkey years later. Zakaria says he was deported before his appeal against removal was decided.
Evidence in court showed that staff warned his prosecution could be jeopardised if he was deported. Contractors with the security company testified they left Zakaria unrestrained during the flight, though photos showed him in restraints.
A four-day delay occurred on the tarmac in Istanbul after a plane hit seagulls.
- Salim and Toufik Hamze in 2021
- Murders charged
- Turkey
- Location found
- 31 years old
- Zakaria's age
Why it mattersThe case tests whether Australian authorities can use private security firms to forcibly bring suspects home from overseas, and whether Zakaria can escape murder charges on procedural grounds.
AustraliaThe Supreme Court hearing will determine the limits of what Australian police can do abroad to extradite suspects and may affect how law enforcement brings fugitives home.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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