Prosecutors admit Masood Zakaria was illegally deported from Turkey
Four days into a landmark court case, prosecutors conceded the alleged Sydney gangster's 2023 deportation from Turkey breached the law.
Masood Zakaria is fighting to have his murder charges thrown out. He claims he was illegally deported rather than properly extradited.
Just four days into the proceedings, prosecutors admitted in NSW Supreme Court he had a legal right to stay in Turkey. He should not have been removed.
The Australian Federal Police paid a Cyprus-based security firm Hart International and another company a combined $1.1 million to locate and bring back Zakaria. He was wanted over the 2021 murders of father and son Salim and Toufik Hamze.
If Zakaria succeeds in his challenge, the charges will likely be dropped. He will walk free.
The case will hear next week from AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett and her predecessor Reece Kershaw.
Why it mattersThe ruling could set a precedent on how Australian authorities can pursue fugitives overseas and whether private contractors can conduct operations that skirt legal boundaries.
AustraliaThis case affects how Australian law enforcement can operate abroad and sets a test of whether the AFP's methods stay within legal bounds in extradition cases.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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