Alleged Hamad crime lieutenant to stand trial over ‘tobacco war’ attacks

A suspected lieutenant in the Hamad crime syndicate has been committed to stand trial for a series of arsons and an extortion linked to the so-called tobacco war, including allegedly organising the firebombing of a restaurant owned by underworld figure Fadi Haddara.

Majid Alibadi, 25, will face trial on 22 charges related to what police have previously called his role as a “regional operations manager” for the powerful crime gang run by exiled gangland boss Kazem “Kaz” Hamad.

Majid Alibadi is released on bail in February 2024.Credit: Jason South

This included allegedly orchestrating arson attacks on the Karizma and Almina restaurants in Docklands, the Melrose Reception Centre in Tullamarine and a Glenroy tobacco shop.

Police have alleged that the attacks were part of Hamad’s then-turf war over control of the illicit tobacco trade against the Haddara crime family.

“It is entirely the prosecution case that Mr Alibadi is a higher member of the syndicate and is a controlling member who is responsible for directing the tasks, including the arsons, thefts of motor vehicles, the cloning of registration plates and various other activities [that] are carried out by people below him within the syndicate,” prosecutor Edwina Dane told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Hamad has emerged as a dominant player in Melbourne’s underworld since being deported to Iraq following an eight-year jail sentence. Police and underworld sources, as well as material tendered in court proceedings, have identified him as the prime force waging the so-called tobacco war that has resulted in more than 130 firebombings and several murders and shootings.

The front of the Karizma restaurant in Docklands the morning after an arson attack. The restaurant is owned by Fadi Haddara (right).Credit: The Age

Earlier in the three-day committal hearing, the court heard testimony from one of the alleged victims of an extortion plot and retaliatory firebombing, Rabih Haddara, owner of Glenroy tobacco shop GVT.

Haddara testified that Alibadi had entered his shop in September 2023 and handed him a phone with an open FaceTime call to Hamad with the instruction, “Speak to my friend”.

He was allegedly told by Hamad that he had to pay $2000 a month because Haddara had opened a tobacco shop in an area controlled by Hamad.

Haddara testified that he eventually told Hamad he would not pay any money, instead telling him in Arabic: “I pay you my dick.”

In cross-examination, Haddara was asked if he was related to any other people in the Haddara family involved in the tobacco market.

“All Haddaras are related. It’s a big family,” he said through a translator.

At the time, the Haddara crime family – headed by Fadi Haddara – were considered by police and underworld sources to be Hamad’s main rivals in the turf war for control of the illicit tobacco market.

It is not suggested that Rabih Haddara has committed any crimes or is a member of the Haddara crime family.

The court heard that GVT was burned down in October and then Haddara was threatened about making a statement to police.

“[Hamad] texted me saying that if you make a statement, I’ll kill you and your brother,” Haddara said.

Defence barrister Dermot Dann, KC, had earlier argued that the prosecution had failed to establish through the evidence that Alibadi was involved in any of the alleged criminal activity.

At one point, Dann also argued that it should be taken into account that one of the buildings allegedly set alight was essentially a “concrete box” and this mitigated the safety risk to residents.

“Where is the evidence that Mr Alibadi foresaw the probability of placing someone above that concrete structure in danger of death or in danger of serious injuries?”

Magistrate Jillian Prior heard three days of testimony from alleged victims, a translator, a telco expert and police, and reviewed a 6000-page brief before committing Alibadi to stand trial. She extended Alibadi’s bail ahead of a hearing in the County Court in February.

A remand summary released when Alibadi was seeking bail earlier in the year detailed police intelligence on rising underworld power the Hamad syndicate.

“[The Hamad syndicate is significantly involved in] extreme acts of violence up to and including murder; the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco; extortions, attempted extortions and arsons related to the illicit tobacco industry; [and] burglaries and thefts,” the summary said.

Alibadi was famously picked up by associates in a Rolls-Royce Ghost and Lamborghini Huracan Evo when he was released on bail earlier this year.

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