Yusuf Nazlioglu: Mick Hawi murder acquitted up for parole on birthday

A bikie acquitted of Mick Hawi’s murder could be freed on parole over a separate gun charge on the same day he marks another major life milestone – turning 40.

A Sydney bikie who was acquitted of underworld figure Mick Hawi’s murder could be freed on parole on the same day he marks another major life milestone – turning 40.

Yusuf Nazlioglu was sentenced to a minimum three years jail on Thursday over possessing a gun in contravention of a firearm prohibition order while renting an apartment at Circular Quay’s The Toaster block for $1350 a week while unemployed.

The 39-year-old was charged with the gun offence two months after he had first been taken into custody over the murder of Hawi, a former president of the Comanchero bikie gang who was fatally shot outside a Rockdale gym in 2018.

Yusuf Nazlioglu (left) poses for a photo with Mick Hawi (middle with shoulder tattoo), whose murder he was later acquitted of.

A jury acquitted Nazlioglu of being involved in Hawi’s killing last year, but he remained in custody on the unrelated firearm charge, which he pleaded guilty to.

Judge Tanya Smith, SC, told Downing Centre District Court that police had found the gun on top of an air duct near his car space at his apartment’s building.

The court heard authorities had covertly recorded Nazlioglu, who told associate Tarek Zahed: “See that, is that a cracker or what, brother?” to which Zahed replied: “Look at that gun you got”.

Yusuf Nazlioglu is escorted from Kogarah police station following his arrest in August, 2018. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Judge Smith said she did not believe Nazlioglu’s later claim to a psychologist that he was “tossing up” whether he should have the firearm or not because he had been caught boasting about it to Zahed.

“I place no weight on this untested, hearsay statement – it is inconsistent with him bragging about the gun as captured … on the listening device,” she said.

Nazlioglu was raised by his Turkish parents in Sydney and bullied at school before falling into drug abuse and finding acceptance in the Lone Wolf bikie club, the court heard.

Slain Comanchero bikie Mick Hawi (middle, wearing a black jacket). Picture: Network News

The court was also told he has recently been drug free and has been praying five times a day in custody – a discipline he wants to keep up once released.

But Judge Smith said she needed to punish him for having the gun.

“It must be remembered that, even in the face of a prohibition order, the offender was prepared to obtain possession of a loaded gun,” she said.

Mick Hawi was fatally shot outside a Rockdale gym in 2018.

“In imposing a sentence there’s a need to ensure that the offender is adequately punished for the offence, that his conduct is denounced and that he’s made accountable for his actions.”

Judge Smith said she had decided to include Nazlioglu’s time spent behind bars on remand after being arrested over Hawi’s murder as part of his sentence for the lesser firearm charge.

She sentenced him to four years jail with a non-parole period of three years.

With two years and 10 months already served, Nazlioglu will be first eligible for parole on August 16, which is his 40th birthday.

A pleased Nazlioglu said: “I understand your honour, thank you”.