‘Crime Family’ Lieutenant Sentenced to Five and a Half Years for Inciting Arsons in Victoria’s Tobacco Wars
- A key figure in the notorious Hamad crime syndicate, Majid Alibadi, has been sentenced to a maximum of five and a half years in prison for inciting arsons and car thefts during Victoria’s tobacco wars.
- Alibadi, a self-proclaimed “upper-level middleman,” was convicted of orchestrating fires that caused almost $2 million in damage, including a blaze at the Karizma restaurant in Docklands.
- Prosecutors described Alibadi as “brazen” and “carefully planned” in his crimes, which were linked to the Hamad brothers’ tobacco empire.
- The sentence marks a significant blow to the Hamad syndicate, with Detective Inspector Chris Murray saying it sends a “strong message” to the community that authorities will hold people accountable for arson attacks.
The Victorian County Court has handed down a maximum sentence of five and a half years to Majid Alibadi, a key lieutenant in the notorious Hamad crime syndicate, for his role in inciting arsons and car thefts during the state’s tobacco wars.
The sentence is a significant blow to the syndicate, which has been linked to a string of violent attacks and intimidation tactics in the tobacco industry.
Alibadi, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was convicted of orchestrating fires at the Karizma restaurant in Docklands and a reception centre in Tullamarine, which caused almost $2 million in damage.
Prosecutors described Alibadi’s actions as “brazen” and “carefully planned,” and said he was an “upper-level middleman” in the Hamad syndicate.
The Hamad brothers, Kazem and Maytham, are alleged to be the masterminds behind the tobacco empire, which has been linked to a string of violent attacks and intimidation tactics in the industry.
Kazem Hamad was arrested by Iraqi authorities and sentenced to life in jail for drug trafficking, while Maytham Hamad is currently on remand in Western Australia for allegedly dealing with proceeds of crime.
According to court documents, Alibadi was the administrator of an encrypted group chat with the Hamad brothers, which was used to give him direct orders. Prosecutors said Alibadi arranged stolen cars, fake number plates, jerry cans full of petrol, and clothing for offenders tasked with torching venues across Melbourne.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray, head of the force’s arson squad, said Alibadi’s sentence sends a “strong message” to the community that authorities will hold people accountable for arson attacks.
“The community have had an absolute gutful of the ongoing arsons, and I think this sends a really strong message to the community that we will hold people to account,” he said.
Alibadi’s association with the Hamad family dates back to his childhood in Iraq, where the families grew up in the same war-torn village before arriving in Australia.
His defence barrister, Dermot Dann KC, said Alibadi had “accepted responsibility and acknowledged the harm caused to the victims” and was seeking to change his ways.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The sentence handed down to Majid Alibadi is a significant blow to the Hamad crime syndicate, which has been linked to a string of violent attacks and intimidation tactics in the tobacco industry.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of organized crime in Australia and the need for authorities to continue to crack down on these groups.
Security analysts say the Hamad syndicate’s activities are a prime example of the threat posed by organized crime groups in Australia. “These groups are highly organized and well-resourced, and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals,” one analyst said.
The case also raises concerns about the impact of organized crime on Australian communities.
The tobacco wars have been linked to a string of violent attacks and intimidation tactics, which have left many in the industry feeling fearful and vulnerable.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the Hamad syndicate is just one of many organized crime groups operating in Australia, and that more needs to be done to address the issue.
“We need to continue to work together to disrupt and dismantle these groups, and to bring those responsible to justice,” one insider said.
The sentence handed down to Majid Alibadi is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the ongoing issue of organized crime in Australia.