Cops’ brawl backdown after court airs video of man allegedly punched by police

A man accused of assaulting police during an altercation outside a western Sydney servo was dragged to the ground by police, then punched in the back of the head three times, his lawyer claimed in court. SEE THE VIDEO.

A video proved a man accused of ­assaulting police during an altercation outside a western Sydney petrol station was in fact the one dragged to the ground by police, then punched in the back of the head three times, his lawyer claimed in court.

The footage, aired in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, led to an embarrassing back down from police prosecutors – who subsequently decided to not oppose bail for three other men involved in the melee.

Strike Force Raptor officers arrested five men allegedly linked to the Alameddine family following an altercation at a Guildford Rd petrol station in Guildford about 4pm on Friday.

Police moved in after noticing the men were not wearing face masks, in breach of Covid-19 public health orders.

The video shows one of the men being arrested by police.

He is tackled by police officers as they bring him to the ground.

Police allege the men are associates of a criminal group, and say they allegedly became aggressive towards police, with one of them allegedly punching an officer before a struggle ensued.

The court heard one of the accused — 19-year-old Noah Obeid — was on bail for firearms offences when he approached police following the arrest of two other men.

While playing footage, barrister Steve Boland told the court “it is so obviously untrue that he attempted to punch this officer”.

“They were taken to the ground quite violently,” Mr Boland said.

“While he was walking away he was taken to the ground and punched in the back of the head on three occasions by one of the police officers.

“There is a serious question as to whether the police can establish any of these charges.”

The video shows him being held on the ground while being handcuffed.

The struggle with police is caught on camera.

He is allegedly punched in the head by officers.

Mr Boland told the court the men were attending the petrol station to purchase fuel and face masks.

The men were charged with breaching a public health order for not wearing a face mask. Their other charges included assault police, resist arrest, harass police and goods in custody.

Police allegedly found a knife in a ute used by one of the men.

Noah Obeid leaves the Amber Laurel Correction Centre after posting bail.

Hussein Zraika gives a rude gesture after being granted bail.

Police prosecutors were unable to explain to the court why the arresting officers’ body cam footage was not supplied to the defence or played in court.

“What we see on the footage when it’s compared to the facts sheet shows there is a discrepancy of sorts,” the police prosecutor said.

Video footage of NSW police officers arresting members of the Alameddine network after an alleged altercation at a petrol station.

More than a dozen officers arrived as back-up during the brawl.

Despite police objections, Mr Obeid was granted bail and was pictured not wearing a mask correctly when leaving Amber Laurel correctional facility at Emu Plains on Saturday afternoon.

After a brief adjournment, three other men were also granted bail – with the police not opposing their release.

Khalid Zreika, 21, Hussein Zraika, 22, and Fadi Zreika, in his early 20s, were all granted bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on September 30.

Fadi Zreika was asked to pull down his face mask and show his wounds to the court.

Another 20-year-old man was granted conditional bail on Friday and will appear in Burwood Local Court September 30.

“There’s certainly some issues involving the police case and the police prosecutor has quite appropriately not objected to you being granted strict bail,” the magistrate told Chester Hill’s Khalid Zreika via video link.

Before the group’s court appearance, Raptor Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein said the five men are alleged to have assaulted, threatened and intimidated police Friday afternoon.

“I make no apology for the actions of the police who acted within the bounds of the law,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

“If you associate, facilitate or participate in a criminal group you should expect police to be watching you – ensuring every move you make in the public domain is acceptable and consistent with everyone else in the community.”

Criminal solicitor Abdul Saddik, who represents many of the Alameddine family and associates in their court matters, said the altercation had led to one of those involved being taken to hospital.

“We are witnessing unprecedented behaviour from the police,” Mr Saddik said.

“It is only a matter of time before a ‘George Floyd’ incident happens here in Australia.

“One of my clients is currently in hospital due to head injuries from the incident earlier today. I strongly condemn this behaviour.”

Three men were arrested after the melee …

… at the petrol station in Guildford about 4pm on Friday.

The incident came a day after three associates of the Alameddine network were charged in unrelated incidents with breaching Covid rules. Abdul Zreika, 19, was stopped by Raptor Squad officers in Merrylands about 8pm on Thursday and told to return to home, having allegedly not had a reasonable excuse to leave.

But just three hours later he again encountered police at a random breath test in Granville and as officers soon learnt about his previous orders to return home, Zreika was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with not complying with COVID-19 public health orders.

Richard Alameddine (right)) and his lawyer Abdul Saddik.

His passenger when he was pulled over the first time was Richad Alameddine, an alleged senior figure in the network. Police searched the pair’s car and found prescription drugs, with Alameddine, 30, charged over not only allegedly breaching Covid restrictions – but also possessing a restricted prescription drug. Alameddine faced Fairfield Local Court on Thursday where his solicitor Mr Saddik entered pleas of guilty to possessing a restricted prescription drug and breaching Covid rules.

Alameddine was convicted and fined a total of $1320.

Earlier on Thursday police had also encountered Asaad Alahmad – the brother-in-law of the Alameddine network’s alleged leader Rafat Alameddine – having a discussion with another man through the window of a car. As police approached, Alahmad allegedly stepped away from the car and went to walk back into his home.

But officers stopped him and the driver of the Volkswagen SUV, and spoke to them both.

Police allege Alahmad was not wearing a face mask and neither man had a reasonable excuse for leaving home, and charged them both with not complying with Covid-19 public health orders.

They are due to appear in Fairfield Local Court on October 26.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]