Men plead not guilty, trial date set after alleged Guildford kidnapping

A judge has unleashed on lawyers representing alleged kidnappers after telling a court CCTV and photos made the prosecution case overwhelming. Read the latest.

One of the men arrested after the alleged kidnapping at Guildford last year. Picture: NSW Police

A judge has unleashed on lawyers representing men who allegedly kidnapped a man at Guildford last year, telling a court CCTV and photos made the prosecution case overwhelming.

Kodar Faytrouni, 28, Safwan Hussein, 41, Abud Elkerdi, 37, and Ali Hamad, 34, appeared at Parramatta District Court for arraignment on Friday, more than a year after they were charged after allegedly bashing and kidnapping a man.

Before 10am on January 11 the group of men allegedly forced their way into an apartment on Guildford Rd.

The 25-year-old occupant was allegedly assaulted and choked before being forced into a BMW sedan.

It is alleged the man was driven to another Guildford property at Constance St where he was assaulted and threatened.

Police with one of the alleged offenders after the arrest. Picture: NSW Police

Imad Fatrouni, 55, was the alleged leader of the group, which allegedly kidnapped the man because they denounced his marriage.

A flabbergasted Judge Stephen Hanley could not understand why the men were pleading not guilty following a “a photo of just about everything” including images captured on CCTV and in the car.

“Have these been properly revised? This is almost an overwhelming case,’’ he told the lawyers.

He told the court Hussein allegedly strangled a man at the back of a car and beat him up.

“There’s pictures of him punching the victims, strangling them at the back of a car,’’ he said.

The court also heard how Hussein allegedly stood on a couch and attacked the complainant.

Before a trial date was scheduled, Judge Hanley reminded the lawyers it was the last chance for their clients to change their pleas.

“On the face of it, this is just an overwhelming case,’’ he said.

“It’s all captured on CCTV. Unbelievable.’’

He also criticised some of the lawyers’ methods.

“I don’t understand the way lawyers conduct themselves these days.’’

Fatrouni and Elkerdi, who are on bail, entered their pleas via an Arabic interpreter while the remaining men, who are also on bail in Melbourne, appeared via video link.

Imad Fatrouni.

Abud Elkerdi exits court.

Their physical absence from the courtroom also raised the judge’s ire.

“I don’t care if they have to come from Timbuktu,’’ he said.

“This is ridiculous.’’

When one of the defendants called the judge mate, he retorted “I’m not your mate”.

Elkerdi, Faytrouni and Hussein pleaded not guilty to take/detain in company with intention to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm and aggravated break and enter – committing a serious indictable offence using violence.

Fatrouni pleaded not guilty to take/detain person in company with intention to obtain advantage.

Hamad pleaded not guilty take/detain in company with intention to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm.

A callover date was listed for June 14 and the trial scheduled for April 28, 2025.