Dimitri Iliev allegedly threatened daughter of vet owners before arson attacks on clinics, court hears

An alleged drug dealer is accused of cheating on his fiancee and plotting to burn down the family businesses of the woman who spoke out about his infidelity, a court has heard.

• From gym owner, DJ to arson charge

An alleged drug dealer is accused of cheating on his fiancee and plotting to burn down the family businesses of the woman who spoke out about his infidelity because if he “couldn’t get to her”, he’d “go after her family”, a court has heard.

Facing the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon, Dimitri Gueorgiev Iliev laughed his way through his second bail hearing as the court heard his alleged offending was an act of revenge.

Mr Iliev has been charged with one count each of arson, attempted arson and trafficking in a large commercial quantity of drugs after allegedly throwing a molotov cocktail in the Hilton Vet Clinic on March 7.

Dimitri Iliev is the owner of a gym in New South Wales, according to his social media.

The former DJ has been charged with two counts of arson following the attacks on two vet clinics. Picture: Facebook

Police prosecutors told the court Mr Iliev’s “planned” attacks on two vet clinics owned by the same family were out of revenge – their daughter had told Mr Iliev’s then fiancee about the other woman he had allegedly been sleeping with.

“(The victim) is alleged to have been a business partner of the defendant, and they had a falling out,” the prosecutor said.

“(The victim) has come across some information with respect to Mr Iliev’s current partner and that is that he had been having an affair with (another woman) and that he she has told the defendant’s current partner of that affair.

“(The victim) was in a rehabilitation facility when she was contacted by the defendant after advising his fiancee of the affair. In that phone call, the defendant has essentially made threats to (the victim) in terms of saying that while he couldn’t get to her, that he was able to get to her family.

“He essentially threatened the safety of the family, and has done so to express his upset that she had interfered with his family.”

Mr Iliev pictured with his mother, who wept in court during the hearing. Picture: Facebook

Dimitre Gueorguiev Iliev has been charged with two counts of arson following the attacks on two vet clinics. Picture: Facebook

“This is where the allegations of arson come into play. It is the prosecution’s position that this defendant is directly involved in the arson, thereby carrying out the threats he had made on the phone the day before.”

Mr Iliev, 33, was only due to face court on Wednesday on the arson charges, however fresh cannabis related charges were laid after police conducted a search of a related home on Tuesday afternoon.

The court heard that Mr Iliev had been working alongside alleged cocaine trafficker Rabi Abu Abareh, and another woman, and has since been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of cannabis found in Wingfield last November.

A Sydney-based gym owner according to his social media, Mr Iliev had allegedly been living in the same residence as Mr Abareh before his arrest.

Alleged cocaine trafficker Rabi Abareh – Mr Iliev’s co-accused – was present in court for support. Picture: Matt Loxton

Mr Iliev’s mother lashed out at cameras outside court. Picture Dean Martin

Opposing all forms of bail, prosecutors said Mr Iliev was a risk to the female victim, and the wider community.

Sydney based lawyer Malcolm Ramage KC told Magistrate Paul Foley his client had no prior criminal history in South Australia, and no recorded convictions in his home state of New South Wales.

“His role, if any, in the arson is questionable,” he said.

Mr Foley dismissed the bail application and remanded Mr Iliev in custody to face court again in June.

Outside court, Mr Iliev’s mother hit at cameras with her handbag before being ushered into a black Mercedes by Mr Abareh, who was also present in court during the hearing.

“My client maintains that he’s innocent,” Mr Ramage told members of the media.

Originally published as Dimitri Iliev allegedly threatened daughter of vet owners before arson attacks on clinics, court hears