Sydney bikie explainer: How Mick Hawi hit stopped a city in its tracks

The murder of Mick Hawi in 2018 sent shockwaves through the bikie scene, and set off a chain of events that continues to this day. Here are the players in Sydney’s latest hit.

The murder of Mick Hawi in 2018 sent shockwaves through the Sydney bikie scene.

Then the man he once considered a close mate – Yusuf Nazlioglu – was charged with shooting him and the city really began paying attention.

Nazlioglu survived the prosecution and was found not guilty, but was shot dead in the basement car park of his Rhodes unit block on Monday night.

Hawi was considered a major figure in Sydney until he was jailed in 2009 over his role in a deadly brawl at Sydney Airport with the Hells Angels.

After his release from prison, Hawi returned to Sydney’s southern suburbs.

Former Comanchero president Mick Hawi was jailed in 2009 over hit role in a deadly brawl, and killed less than a decade later.

Although he was no longer the ­Comanchero bikie club boss, he allegedly continued his involvement in stand-over work.

His role in the club had been taken by Mark Buddle, who declared himself national president soon after Hawi went to jail.

Mark Buddle took over from Mick Hawi.

On February 15, 2018, Hawi, 37, was sitting in his Mercedes outside Fitness First at Rockdale when he was shot dead.

After a six-month investigation, Nazlioglu and another man were arrested while living in the exclusive Toaster complex at Circular Quay.

Yusuf Nazlioglu was accused of Mick Hawi’s murder, but found not guilty. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Those close to Hawi were stunned. The two were considered friends and photos of them together on fishing trips began to emerge.

Nazlioglu was later found not guilty of the murder.

Outraged Hawi supporters screamed in disbelief over the verdict.

The motive for Hawi’s murder was never established. The court heard that he and his former Comanchero mate Buddle had fought over the phone. There was no proof Buddle had anything to do with his murder.