Sydney gangland identity Ibrahem Hamze almost met an untimely demise when police foiled an attempted assassination plot in North Sydney. Now police are on the hunt for two wanted men – Hamze’s rivals and alleged would-be killers, who are believed to be hiding out in Lebanon.
Police believe Rafat Alameddine and John Bayssari, both 33, were part of the criminal conspiracy to murder their gangland enemy Hamze in August 2021.
Ibrahem Hamze (centre) was allegedly the target of John Ray Bayssari (left) and Rafat Alameddine (right).Credit: SMH / NSW Police
It was two months after Hamze’s brother, Bilal, was gunned down while leaving the Kid Kyoto restaurant in Sydney’s CBD and police had warned the gang figure that his life was at risk.
Luckily for Hamze, police identified a stolen Mercedes on Walker Street and unsuccessfully attempted to stop the vehicle, unwittingly foiling an alleged attempted assassination in progress. A pursuit was initiated but called off for safety reasons. The car was later found in Cammeray, and two armed men allegedly escaped by carjacking a Toyota Camry from its 76-year-old driver.
What followed was an explosion of tit-for-tat gangland violence with the Alameddine and Hamzy – sometimes spelt Hamze – crime families and their associates bringing gun violence to Sydney’s suburbs.
Police have now issued an arrest warrant for Rafat Alameddine, the alleged kingpin of the crime family who has been living in Lebanon as a free man, for his part in the alleged conspiracy.
Bilal Hamze, inset, was shot dead outside Kid Kyoto restaurant,Credit: Janie Barrett/Braden Fastier
Alameddine, and alleged criminal associate John Baysarri, also believed to be in Lebanon, are both also wanted for arrest for their alleged roles in the murder of teenage gangster Salim Hamze and his father Toufik in 2021.
“Anyone who sights either man, or has any information relating to their whereabouts, is urged not to approach them but call Triple Zero (000) immediately,” a police statement said.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.