Ali Elmoubayed, Khaled Elmoubayed Samimjan Azari sentenced for fighting men at Westfield Sydney

Three men – one who has alleged links to the Alameddine crime family – have been fined for their role in a brawl where punches were thrown and knees used at a busy Sydney shopping centre.

Ali Elmoubayed was arrested following a brawl. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Three men have been fined for their role in a brawl where punches were thrown and knees used at a busy Sydney shopping centre.

Ali Elmoubayed, 30, his brother Khaled Elmoubayed, 26, and friend Samimjan Azari, 25, came to blows with former associates and brothers Mohammad and Zane Zreika in a bust-up at Westfield Sydney in Pitt Street Mall on June 21 last year.

The brothers and Azari were sentenced in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday after they each pleaded guilty to common assault, which was downgraded from affray.

The court previously heard Ali Elmoubayed was allegedly involved with the Alameddine crime network’s Sydney operations.

However in his bail application, he denied any link to the family other than previously living across the road from Rafat Alameddine at his former Granville address.

The men were arrested in dramatic fashion in dawn raids at their Dundas Valley, South Granville and Auburn homes by Raptor squad police officers.

Samimjan Azari outside Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Agreed facts tendered to court said the Elmoubayed brothers and Azari were shopping together when they had a verbal argument with the Zreika brothers about 12.22pm.

Ali Elmoubayed and Mohammad Zreika continued to have a verbal argument while Azari tried to break them up and de-escalate the situation.

Ali Elmoubayed (right) and Khaled Elmoubayed outside Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Ali Elmoubayed punched Mohammad Zreika in the head which was followed by a punch from Khaled Elmoubayed.

Zreika allegedly returned punches to Ali Elmoubayed who then landed more blows on Zreika before Khaled Elmoubayed kicked him.

The Elmoubayed brothers walked away before Azari kicked towards Zreika, who then lunged at Azari and allegedly punched him in the head.

Ali Elmoubayed then stepped in to de-escalate the fight, along with a member of the public.

Zreika allegedly punched Ali Elmoubayed in the head before Azari punched and kneed Zreika while he was on the ground.

The incident lasted about 45 seconds and there were members of the public walking and sitting nearby at tables and chairs.

Samimjan Azari’s arrest. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Mohammad Zreika was charged with affray and two charges of common assault and is yet to enter pleas, with his case next before court on March 28.

Zane Zreika was charged with affray but it was withdrawn in court on a previous occasion.

The court heard the three men were refused bail for varying times until they were released.

Ali Elmoubayed’s lawyer said his client was a licensed bricklayer while his brother was a carpenter who had a young family.

The court heard Magistrate Michael Barko could not take into account the assertion the men had associations with “warring families” because it was not stated in the facts, however Mr Barko said they unlikely would have “rocked up had it not been for their respective family names and people involved”.

Mr Barko said the brawl had “the flavour of Middle Eastern communities battling, where families in different circles did not see eye-to-eye”.

“I don’t care what their last names are, if it is Smith, Brown or Azari, it doesn’t matter in this sentence,” he said.

He said what did matter was there was a “Donnybrook” brawl in a public place where young and old members of the community gathered.

Mr Barko did note the other two men involved in the altercation provoked the fight and there were no injuries reported.

The Elmoubayed brothers and Azari were convicted and fined $550 each.