Aran Miftari: RMIT student accused of underworld hit on Mahmoud Karam
A university student accused of carrying out an “underworld execution” was allegedly acting on orders from a crime syndicate involved in the illegal tobacco trade, a court has been told.
An alleged gangland assassination has been linked by police to Melbourne’s illicit tobacco trade as a university student seeks bail.
Aran Miftari, 21, is one of two young men charged with murder after underworld figure Mahmoud Karam, 60, was killed in an alleged shootout on December 20 last year in the Melbourne suburb of Campbellfield.
The RMIT construction and management student allegedly came to the attention of police after he was dropped off at the Northern Hospital with gunshot wounds.
Mr Miftari appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday to apply for bail after his father offered up more than $1 million in his home’s equity as a bail guarantee.
Called to give evidence, homicide squad detective senior constable Monica Allen said the offer did not alleviate her concerns about the accused man being released on bail.
She said Victoria Police held intelligence Mr Miftari was allegedly linked to the “Hamad syndicate”, which the detective described as a transnational crime syndicate with access to “extreme wealth and the means and capability to assist the applicant absconding”.
Constable Allen confirmed it would be alleged Mr Karam’s killing was organised by the Hamad syndicate and the court was told it’s alleged the group had provided “refuge” in the Middle East for people who’d carried out acts of violence on Australian soil.
Police have previously alleged in court the Hamad syndicate is headed by overseas-based Kaz Hamad – a convicted drug trafficker deported from the county in 2023.
It’s been alleged the syndicate is involved in the illicit tobacco trade in Victoria and the firebombings of rival tobacco stores.
But, under questioning by Mr Miftari’s barrister Dermott Dann KC, constable Allen declined to say what evidence police would allege linked Mr Miftari to the Hamad syndicate.
“We’re alleging he committed this murder on their behalf,” he said.
“The basis of that link is subject to public interest immunity.”
Public interest immunity is a legal doctrine allowing the state to withhold information on the grounds it would be harmful to the public interest.
Constable Allen also claimed public interest immunity when questioned what evidence she had to suggest Mr Miftari allegedly met with a senior Bandidos Motorcycle Club member prior to Mr Karam’s death.
She told the court there were two firearms allegedly located at the scene, a triple-barrel shotgun allegedly linked to Mr Miftari’s co-accused and a pistol linked to Mr Karam.
The detective said it would be alleged Mr Miftari and his co-accused ambushed Mr Karam, with Mr Miftari shooting Mr Karam first “in the back” about 10.10am.
Mr Karam, it’s alleged, shot back, injuring the two men, with a blood trail allegedly linked to Mr Miftari through DNA.
Constable Allen said police allegedly tracked the two men arriving on Gentles Ave in a stolen vehicle an hour before the shooting and travelling to an address in Broadmeadows afterwards.
It’s alleged the pair entered a black Mercedes at the Broadmeadows address which then took them to hospital.
The officer was questioned about claims made by a witness, who said Mr Karam had previously told him he was owed $2 million and wanted to kill “someone”.
She confirmed the witness had made a statement to police and would be called as a witness in an upcoming committal hearing next year.
In support of bail, Mr Dann suggested his client would return to live with his parents and could face strict conditions including a curfew, electronic monitoring and phone use.
He told the court Mr Miftari did not have any prior convictions and had a strong work history alongside his studies.
Mr Dann said conditions in custody had been “horrendous”, with his client regularly locked down and unable to receive medication or medical treatment.
The court was told Mr Miftari spent months in hospital with injuries to his leg, upper body, elbow and arm allegedly sustained in the gunfight with Mr Karam.
Bail has been strenuously opposed by police and prosecutors, with Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill raising fears a third firearm allegedly used in the shooting has not been found.
“This case has some of the hallmarks of an underworld execution,” she said.
The bail application was adjourned part-heard by Justice Andrew Tinney on request from Mr Dann.
The barrister raised concerns he wanted to provide additional medical material about his client’s lack of access to medication and physical therapy behind bars.
Mr Miftari will return to court on December 23.
Originally published as Aran Miftari: RMIT student accused of underworld hit on Mahmoud Karam
