Comanchero bikie boss Tarek Zahed refused bail on murder charge in closed court hearing

Comanchero boss Tarek Zahed is charged with murdering a man in 2014, but details of the case are shrouded in secrecy after government lawyers successfully sought a gag order on the court proceedings.

Comanchero bikie boss Tarek Zahed has had a pre-Christmas bid for bail on murder and kidnapping charges refused, following a lengthy court hearing shrouded in secrecy.

Zahed has been in custody since August, when he was arrested by tactical police and charged over his alleged involvement in the murder of Youssef Assoum eight years ago.

Assoum, 29, was found with a gun shot wound to his thigh and several cuts to his head on a Bankstown street in the early hours of December 11, 2014. He later died in Liverpool Hospital.

Zahed’s previous application for bail in September was refused, but the 41-year-old launched a fresh bid for release in Burwood Local Court this week, with his lawyers indicating in the opening stages of the proceedings that their client was now in a position to adhere to electronic ankle monitoring, and there was a “substantial” increase in the financial surety that could be offered to ensure he turned up to court and complied with bail conditions.

However, the remainder of the release application was carried out in confidence, after Magistrate Andrew Miller agreed to hear the matter in a closed court.

Tarek Zahed (right) and his brother Omar Zahed, who were repeatedly shot at in May.

Lawyers representing the Police Commissioner and the NSW Crime Commission had successfully applied to have the hearing kept hidden from the public — a significant departure from the principles of open justice normally employed by courts across NSW — in order to protect the identities of three key witnesses in the case.

During his bail application in September, which took place in open court, Zahed’s legal team said he needed to be at liberty to receive appropriate treatment for complex medical needs arising from his attempted assassination outside Auburn’s BodyFit gym in May this year.

Zahed’s brother Omar was killed in the incident, however Zahed survived, despite being shot 10 times.

“To suggest these complicated procedures could be carried out within the Justice Health system is hopeful,” his lawyer at the time said.

“The absence of such care will have a real, tangible impact on the health and wellbeing of this applicant.”

The Daily Telegraph understands the court was presented with updated medical records from Justice Health in court this week.

As part of that, Zahed’s need for specialist treatment was put forward as a reason for bail.

However, Magistrate Miller refused to release Zahed on bail and remanded him in custody until at least early next year.

Outside court, Zahed’s legal team said a bail application already scheduled in the NSW Supreme Court for early February would now proceed.

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