Man arrested over alleged plot to kill Ibrahem Hamze has links to Alameddines: court

A Sydney man with alleged links to the Alameddine family network who was charged over a botched murder plot to kill gangland figure Ibrahem Hamze has been denied bail.

A Sydney man with alleged links to the Alameddine crime network who was charged over a botched murder plot to kill gangland figure Ibrahem Hamze has been denied bail.

Police believe Hamze — a younger brother of slain gangster Bilal Hamze — was inadvertently saved when two masked gunmen drove to a North Sydney street near where he was living last month before highway patrol officers identified their Mercedes as allegedly stolen.

The two balaclava-clad men allegedly fled to a Cammeray street and carjacked a 76-year-old man, stealing his Toyota Camry and fleeing before they reached their alleged intended target of Hamze.

Police raided a Granville home last week and arrested Samuel Rokomaqisa, 31.

They will allege his DNA was allegedly found in the Mercedes and in the Camry after the failed hit on August 14.

Police arrest Samuel Rokomaqisa over a suspected botched murder plot to kill gangland figure Ibrahim Hamze on Sydney's north shore. Picture: 7News

The 31-year-old is detained by police. Picture: NSW Police via NCA NewsWire

Defence lawyer Zemarai Khatiz applied to have Rokomaqisa released on bail in Central Local Court on Monday and questioned the police case against his client, including an allegation that he has links to the Hamze’s sworn rivals, the Alameddines.

“There are police opinions contained in the facts that are not supported by any factual basis,” Mr Khatiz said.

“At the beginning of the facts there’s a reference to (Rokomaqisa) having links to the Alameddine organised crime network.”

Magistrate Claire Farnan agreed the police facts against Rokomaqisa were “full of opinions” and said there was nothing in the document to suggest he did have links to the Alameddines.

Prosecutors told the court Rokomaqisa’s DNA was found in the Mercedes, on a jerry can found in that vehicle and also in the Camry.

But Mr Khatiz said DNA was easily transferable and that Rokomaqisa’s DNA being found in the vehicles does not necessarily mean his client had been in them.

Ibrahem Hamze leaves the Downing Centre in July. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Mr Khatiz said the police facts mentioned CCTV footage from a bus that had recorded the alleged carjacking and asked if it could be played to the court to see if the alleged offenders were wearing gloves.

The lawyer suggested Rokomaqisa’s DNA could have been transferred to gloves someone else may have been wearing.

In denying Rokomaqisa bail, Ms Farnan said his DNA had allegedly been found within the driver’s area of the Mercedes, on a plastic bag containing a fuel can in the boot of that vehicle and also on the handbrake and gear shift stick of the Camry.

Outside court, Mr Khatiz said he would make another bail application on behalf of Rokomaqsa — who is facing multiple charges including conspire to murder — in the NSW Supreme Court after he receives a brief of evidence from police.

Police allege Mr Hamze, the cousin of Brothers for Life leader Bassam Hamzy, is a marked man in Sydney’s underworld feud between the two rival families.

Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said outside court on Friday that police believe Hamze can: “thank his lucky stars he’s alive”.

Superintendent Taylor said Mr Hamze had been in contact with police and his safety remained a serious concern.

“That individual who we will allege was in that street on the day in North Sydney is an at-risk individual,” he said.