Man arrested over alleged kidnapping of Ibrahim nephew Michael Haddad

Police have arrested a man over the alleged kidnapping and attempted ransom of John and Michael Ibrahim’s nephew.

Police have arrested a man allegedly involved in the kidnapping and attempted ransom of John Ibrahim’s nephew during an early morning raid this morning.

Shady Ellawzi, aged 40, was allegedly part of a group that grabbed Michael Haddad, 21, from an underground car park in Ryde last year.

At the time it was reported whomever was behind the alleged kidnapping began their demands for his safe return at $5m before constantly lowering it.

Haddad is the son of convicted drug dealer Marwan Haddad and his ex-wife Fifi Ibrahim.

The 40-year-old man was arrested this morning.

Haddad is the nephew of John Ibrahim (pictured).

And the son of Marwan Haddad. Picture: Christian Gilles / NCA NewsWire

Police allege Michael Haddad was held for two days last October and had to be treated for minor injuries when he was eventually rescued on a roadside in Bankstown. A second man, Hamed Bamer, 33, was arrested earlier this week and refused bail when he appeared in Parramatta Local court.

Bamer and Ellawzi have been charged with take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasioning actual bodily harm and participate in criminal group.

Ellawzi from Guildford is currently at Granville police station. More arrests are expected.

The alleged victim’s mother, Fifi Ibrahim spoke to her brother Michael Ibrahim, who is in jail for drug importation, telling him about the alleged kidnapping.

In the conversation which was being monitored by prison authorities it is alleged that Michael Ibrahim threatened to kill his sister, who is now known as Armani Stelios. He was later charged with using a carriage service over the threats.

Hamed Bamer was arrested earlier this week.

The arrests come a week after police released footage of a van used in the alleged kidnapping and made an appeal for information.

“We know that kidnappings for ransom is a modus operandi of some criminal groups and individuals. Even if the victims or their family do not report it we inevitably find out,’’ NSW Robbery and Serious Crime Squad boss Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis said.

“There are cameras everywhere and members of the public also often inform us if they see something”.

“We take these kidnappings very seriously, no matter who the victim is. Where violence is used there is always the danger that innocent members of the public may be hurt,’’ he said.

He said police were investigating a number of other similar alleged kidnappings which at this stage were unrelated.

Police will allege the men in custody were not the masterminds but hired to do the kidnapping for another criminal network.