Ramzi Jabbour: ex AFP top cop allegedly used work gun to go kangaroo shooting
Former AFP assistant commissioner Ramzi Jabbour allegedly used his work gun to go kangaroo hunting at a secretive sniper training facility, and bought cases of beer for the officials who arranged the trip, a court has heard.
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Former Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Ramzi Jabbour allegedly used his work gun to go kangaroo shooting at a secretive sniper training facility, and bought cartons of beer to thank the officials who arranged the outing, a court has heard.
Jabbour fronted the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday for the first day of a suspected three-day hearing.
Jabbour is also accused of firing off a series of questions to an AFP lawyer, falsely claiming he needed the answers for his own studies.
The information was, in fact, for a relative’s legal studies assignment, prosecutors allege.
Jabbour has previously pleaded not guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm and not guilty to exercising influence as a public official with a dishonest intent.
Many crucial details of the case were on Monday suppressed by ACT Magistrate James Stewart, including the name of a potential police witness, and details of the secretive sniper training “farm”.
Barrister David Jordan, prosecuting, said it was alleged Jabbour abused his power as deputy commissioner to request legal information from an AFP lawyer, Tom McBride.
The main questions Jabbour asked of Mr McBride were identical to those set out in the legal studies assignment, Mr McBride said.
The firearm charge involves an allegation Jabbour was on leave when he took his AFP-issued Glock, fitted with a sniper-style laser sight, away from a firing range while on recreational leave.
The weapon is classed as a prohibited firearm, unless being used for a legitimate police purpose.
While at the range, Jabbour allegedly arranged for a relative — whose identity is suppressed — to be given “familiarisation training” with an M4 Carbine assault rifle and an MP5 submachine gun.
Jabbour is also accused of arranging for a shooting trip to the secretive “farm”, where he and his relatives used police guns to shoot kangaroos.
The “farm” is typically used for sniper training, the court heard, and the older of Jabbour’s two relatives was allowed to shoot a specialist sniper rifle.
At the farm, Jabbour is alleged to have let “at least one of his (relatives)” use his modified Glock pistol.
Mr Jordan said phone intercepts between Jabbour and his relatives showed the main purpose of the trip was to go kangaroo “hunting”, and to give one of the relatives a chance to fire a sniper rifle.
Mr Jordan said: “Mr Jabbour gave gifts of beer and store gift cards of only relatively small value” to the officials who helped out at the “farm”.
Following the trip, Jabbour returned his gun to the safe in his office at 4.30am, which Mr Jordan said was an attempt to avoid scrutiny from co-workers.
The improper purpose of the trip, Mr Jordan said, meant Jabbour’s possession of the Glock was illegal.
The hearing continues.
