Ali Elmoubayed seeks bail after Westfield brawl

A western Sydney bricklayer who police have alleged is a leader in the Alameddine family’s crime network has denied he is anything to clan head Rafat – other than a neighbour from over the road.

Ali Elmoubayed. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A western Sydney bricklayer who police have alleged is involved with the Alameddine crime network’s Sydney operations has denied any link to the family other than previously living across the road from them.

Ali Elmoubayed, 30, was arrested following a dawn raid at his Dundas Valley home after he was allegedly involved in a wild brawl at Westfield Sydney on June 21.

Police have alleged Elmoubayed, his brother Khaled Elmoubayed, and associates Samijan Azari and Ahmed Alameddine came to blows with former associates and cousins Mohammad and Zane Zreika in a broad daylight bust-up that saw luxury bags go flying.

Elmoubayed has pleaded not guilty to a single count of affray.

Esteemed KC Greg James strenuously denied either Elmoubayed – or his co-accused Ahmed Alameddine – are in any way involved with the Alameddine organised crime network.

Elmoubayed during his arrest by Raptor Squad officers. Picture: Jeremy Piper

In a bail application before Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, Mr James told the court Elmoubayed was nothing but a neighbour to Rafat Alameddine at his former Granville address.

“The assertion he has anything to do with the Alameddines or outlaw motorcycle gangs is rejected entirely,” Mr James said.

“Rafat Alameddine lived (at an address in Granville) – my client lived in a house across the road.”

A police prosecutor pressed Elmoubayed’s alleged links with the Alameddines, stating in 2022 police had warned Rafat Alameddine against consorting with a number of people – which allegedly included Elmoubayed.

“The fact that persons may have lived in the same street does not mean they are in some sort of organised crime network,” Mr James responded.

Elmoubayed during his arrest. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The court heard Elmoubayed was also subject to a community corrections order for affray and a conditional release order for refusing to provide a driver or passenger’s identity at the time he was charged over his alleged involvement in the brawl.

Mr James, instructed by solicitor Jessica Fahmy, proposed stringent conditions akin to house arrest, with electronic monitoring, a $900,000 surety, a curfew and an agreement not to associate with the co-accused to address Elmoubayed’s bail risk.

The court heard Elmoubayed was the sole breadwinner for his wife and three young children, and he could return to his employment as a concreter and bricklayer.

Elmoubayed used to live across the road from Rafat Alameddine (pictured).

“Police submitted that the accused had connections to the Alameddine organised crime group, or gang, and that connection is disputed by the accused,” Ms Freund noted.

“Mr James’ submissions are effectively diametrically opposed – he says it’s a weak prosecution case, self defence is live, and that the conditions submitted by him, a lengthy set of bail conditions, can mitigate the risk or risks highlighted by the prosecution.”

Ms Freund granted Elmoubayed’s bail to only leave the house for work, legal and medical appointments, emergencies, and to take his children to school and extracurricular activities.

He will be housebound between 7pm and 6am each day, report daily at Ermington police station, and have to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.