Adam Dashtani: Hells Angels alleged bikie extortion ‘ringleader’ bailed

A 21-year-old bikie was the alleged mastermind behind a $200k extortion bid, that has terrified a new father and his family a court hears.

Police allege Hells Angels Darkside patch member Amad Dashtani was the mastermind behind a $200k extortion bid. Pictured: Hells Angels clubhouse, Thomastown.

Hells Angels Darkside chapter member Amad Dashtani has been granted bail after being accused of leading a $200,000 bikie extortion bid.

The 21-year-old Mickleham man appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, in custody via web link on Thursday, after police arrested Mr Dashtani and his wife, Hells Angels Nomad chapter president Jasmin Destanovic, and one other Darkside chapter member last month.

Mr Dashtani was charged on eight counts including demanding $200,000 with threats to kill, possessing a 10ml vial of testosterone and threatening to inflict injury.

The court heard Dashtani allegedly went with bikie boss Jasmin Destanovic, and another co-accused man, to pick up the victim from the Monash Children's’ Hospital moments after the alleged victim’s wife had given birth.

Police claim the man was told to pay $150,000 before Mr Dashtani punched the victim multiple times in the face and then Mr Destanovic stepped in and allegedly stabbed the new father.

The victim, a 29-year-old man from Clarinda, had already been forced to pay $50,000, in a plan allegedly carried out by the three Hells Angels members and Dashtani’s wife.

Despite bikie boss Mr Destanovic’s alleged involvement, Crown prosecutor Leigh Harrison claimed Mr Dashtani had orchestrated the plot.

“ (Mr Dashtani) would seem to be the ringleader of the entirety of the thing,” Mr Harrison said.

“He is the person who has the direct contact at the beginning, he is one of the people that the majority of the money gets to, and he seems to be the one making the vast majority of the demands.”

Police believe the victim had never owed any money or debt to any of the accused Hells Angels bikie members.

In court Echo Taskforce detective Senior Constable Elise Edwards said the alleged victim and his family were terrified of Mr Dashtani being bailed.

“They are terrified of all accused, especially (Mr Dashtani) because they know (him) personally especially his wife,” Sen-Constable Edwards said.

The court was told the victim’s wife grew up in Adelaide with Mr Dashtani’s co-accused and 22-year-old wife.

Mr Dashtani, Mr Destanovic and a third man co-accused were seen by police attending the Hells Angels Nomad’s Thomastown clubhouse together on March 13 for the national AGM.

Mr Dashtani and his wife were both home when police executed the search warrants and arrested them on March 31.

Police allegedly found and seized two iPhones, Apple MacBook charger, a Hells Angels vest and vile containing a clear liquid (presumed to be drugs).

The pair were taken to the St Kilda police station and interviewed but made no comment when questioned.

Magistrate Timothy Bourke granted bail to both Mr Dashtani and Mr Destanovic after concerns were raised both could face up three years behind bars before each case went to trial because of pandemic delays.

“The strongest argument in respect to the bail application is the delay inherent by virtue of the COVID-19 (pandemic),” Mr Bourke said.

Mr Dashtani will be released on a $250,000 bail subject to the following conditions – he must stay in Victoria, adhere to an 11pm to 6am curfew, only have one smartphone, cannot associate with the co-accused and will report to authorities when required.

He will be released from custody to his mother’s Mernda home.

The three co-accused, including Mr Destanovic, have been released on bail.

The case will return to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 23.

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