Dimitri Iliev allegedly ‘promised to pay’ co-accused for Pets Health Vet Clinic arson attacks, Adelaide court hears

The two Adelaide vet clinics were targeted by alleged arsonist attacks earlier this year.

An alleged arsonist accused of burning down a vet clinic and trying to set another on fire in a revenge attack allegedly promised payment to his two co-accused for the offences, a court has heard.

The court also heard that it was one of the co-accused that suggested an attack be carried out by means of arson rather than a drive by shooting.

Dimitri Gueorguiev Iliev, 34, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link last Monday as his counsel sought to apply for bail again, arguing a change of circumstances.

Counsel for Mr Iliev said since Judge Judy Hughes refused Mr Iliev bail in June, new information had come to light and there was now a possibility that the defendant’s trial would be delayed to 2027.

Alleged fire bug Dimitri Gueorguiev Iliev and the vet clinic he is accused of burning down. Artwork: Kara Jung

During the hearing, counsel cited evidence put forward by the prosecution and arising from statements of the two co-accused that alleged Mr Iliev “promised to pay” the two co-accused – whose identities have been suppressed – to commit the arsons.

But counsel argued there were inconsistencies in the statements of the two alleged co-offenders.

He later cited a statement from one of the co-accused, which said it was their alleged co-offender “who had suggested that an arson take place rather than what I refer to as a drive by shooting”.

Counsel said that the statements made by the alleged co-offenders were “inadmissable” to prove the identity of the person who had allegedly contracted them to commit the offences.

Mr Iliev has been charged with two counts of arson after the Pets Health Hilton Vet Centre on Sir Donald Bradman Dr was destroyed in a blaze and the Pets Health Vet Clinic at O’Halloran Hill was also targeted in an alleged attempted arson in March.

No pleas have been entered.

The Advertiser understands both clinics are owned by the same family.

Prosecutors previously alleged Mr Iliev concocted the attacks in revenge after the daughter of the business owner told his fiancee about his alleged affair.

In June, Justice Hughes refused Mr Iliev bail noting the “nature and gravity” of the charges.

Mr Iliev faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on Monday as his counsel sought to apply for bail again, arguing a change of circumstances. Picture: Supplied

On Monday, prosecution said “there should be no prospect of this application going ahead” and that Mr Iliev continued to pose a threat to the prosecution witnesses.

She added that the prosecution’s case was not worse than when it was before Justice Hughes.

Prosecution also said it was “very likely that we will have a trial date by mid to late 2026 so there’s no change of circumstances with respect to delay.”

Earlier, one of the co-accused, whose identity is suppressed, pleaded guilty to arson and provided an affidavit to police, giving evidence prosecution said would incriminate Mr Iliev and a third co-accused.

Outside of court, a lawyer for Mr Iliev, Omar Juweinat, told The Advertiser he will be arguing that the prosecution’s case “is doomed to fail”.

“There is no admissible evidence that is capable of proving that Mr Iliev contracted the men to commit the arson,” he said.

He also said both of the co-accused deny ever meeting Mr Iliev.

On Monday, the Magistrate said he was “not satisfied there’s been a material change in circumstances that would constitute sufficient change to again entertain a bail application”.

The matter will return to court next year.