Docklands Lebanese restaurant Almina set on fire as links emerge between convicted drug boss

A witness has told of how a Docklands restaurant with underworld links went up in flames, saying the offenders “poured petrol everywhere, lit it on fire and ran”.

Video has captured the moment another Lebanese restaurant in Docklands was firebombed in a targeted attack on Friday morning.

Emergency services were called to Almina restaurant on Glenti Place following reports of suspicious activity at 2.50am on Friday.

Witnesses have told police they saw three offenders smashing a window of the restaurant before setting it alight with what is believed to be an accelerant.

The trio then ran from the scene, fleeing in a vehicle.

Video, obtained exclusively by the Herald Sun, shows the restaurant burning before a white vehicle leaves the scene.

Another Docklands restaurant has been targeted. Picture: Mark Stewart

Forensics scoured the scene on Friday. Picture: Mark Stewart

One witness, who is a resident of a neighbouring building, told the Herald Sun he was woken on Friday morning by the sound of smashing glass.

“I originally thought it was construction because it was three o’clock in the morning,” he said,

“There were three men all dressed in black, they had axes and were smashing the windows of the restaurant.

“They were doing it for a good five, ten minutes.

“Then they poured petrol everywhere, lit it on fire and ran off into a station wagon.”

The offenders made a mess of the shopfront. Picture: Mark Stewart

Smashed glass everywhere. Picture: Mark Stewart

The neighbour, who filmed the alleged attack on his phone, said the owner of Almina lived nearby.

He described the owner as a “pretty grumpy guy” who didn’t often interact with fellow locals.

As most of the neighbouring building’s residents gathered outside Almina in the wake of the alleged attack on Friday morning, as they assisted police with their inquiries, the owner, the witness says, was nowhere to be seen.

“It was strange because he didn’t come down, everyone else (in the building) came down because it was a pretty big thing,” he added.

“There’s always bikies dining at (Almina).

“They park their Harleys out the front illegally and eat at the restaurant.”

Officers at the scene on Friday. Picture: Mark Stewart

Almina’s Facebook page is used to plug upcoming entertainment events put together by a company called WA Productions.

WA is a company which brings overseas musical acts to Melbourne from the Middle East.

Promotional material says it is run by convicted drug boss Fadi Haddara and Walid Abdo.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents show one of Almina’s directors is a Walid Abdo, aged 51.

Friday morning’s blaze is the second targeted arson attack of a Docklands Lebanese restaurant in a month.

The New Quay Promenade restaurant of Fadi Haddara, Karizma, went up in flames in an early morning fire last month, completely destroying the property.

The restaurant was targeted by arsonists twice in three days, with emergency services forced to evacuate more than 60 residents after the first attack.

Police released CCTV of the moment arsonists firebombed a Docklands restaurant owned by organised crime figure Fadi Haddara. Picture: Victoria Police

... before fleeing the scene as it went up in smoke. Picture: Victoria Police

Firefighters were again called to the business two days later to find the restaurant on fire on the ground floor of the multi-storey apartment building.

Karizma was the second target with links to Haddara.

A Williamstown North panel shop he had previously been connected with was firebombed in October.

Police said at the time they were looking into any potential connection to illicit tobacco conflict.

Much of the friction of this year is suspected of being generated by a Melbourne organised crime figure deported to Iraq months ago.

He has tried to take market share from an existing syndicate which has been dominant in the outlaw smoke game for years.

Detectives are investigating whether Friday’s blaze is linked to the recent series of arson attacks across Melbourne.

Arson chemists and investigators attended the crime scene this morning.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au.