Ahmad Al Essawi fronts Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court over smoke shop extortion charges
A man caught up in an alleged extortion attempt where he was accused of threatening to set a rival tobacconist’s store on fire has fronted court.
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An accused standover man allegedly caught on camera threatening a rival tobacconist to close their business or he would “burn (the) whole place down” has had his case delayed.
Ahmad Al Essawi, 23, fronted the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on February 24, facing charges including extortion with threat to destroy property, possessing cannabis and failing to comply with a direction to assist.
The Doreen man was allegedly caught on camera in July 2023 threatening to set Ramseen Gifts in Wangaratta alight, just days before the store was destroyed in a blaze.
In the alarming footage — believed to have been filmed by a co-accused man — Mr Al Essawi was allegedly recorded laying down an ultimatum to the Murphy St staff member.
“Your people are f---ing around with my f---ing people,” he allegedly said.
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“You gotta close down right now. We’re Iraqis, we’re down from Melbourne, we’ve come here to take over this shop.
“If you don’t give me the keys right now, in 24 hours, I’ll be back and if this shop is still open, I’m gonna come down and burn this whole place.
“It has nothing to do with you, right? So let’s just make it easy, give me the keys, walk out, close down. You go home, everyone’s happy.”
Just days later, two other men were seen setting the shop on fire.
Mr Al Essawi was arrested at his northeastern suburbs home on January 23.
On Monday, the court heard defence lawyer Marlene Kizana ask for an adjournment.
Mr Al Essawi is on remand for the alleged threats and did not apply for bail.
He will return to the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on April 3 for a contest mention.
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