‘Death threats over Lebanon feud’ for crime figure facing deportation

Sam Ibrahim’s lawyer has said there are credible threats he could be killed if he is deported to ­Lebanon.

Facing deportation to Lebanon: Sam Ibrahim.

Sam Ibrahim’s lawyer has said there are credible threats he could be killed if he is deported to ­Lebanon after a shock operation saw him whisked from his Sydney prison cell to Perth on Thursday.

A convoy of seven cars, with a helicopter circling overhead, set off with Ibrahim at 10am on Thursday before he was placed into the custody of Border Force officials at Sydney airport.

Ibrahim could be deported to Lebanon, where he was born, if his appeal against his visa cancellation is unsuccessful.

NSW police state crime commander Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said Ibrahim’s deportation to Perth sent a clear message to those involved in organised crime.

“The violent behaviour we have witnessed in recent weeks is simply unacceptable, and as you have seen, the NSW Police Force is prepared to use all powers available to us to ensure the people of NSW can feel safe,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.

“Today, a person who for many years has conducted criminal ­activity with little regard for the devastation he has left in his wake, has departed NSW never to return and we hope the community can find solace in that.”

NSW Police Strike Force Raptor transported Ibrahim in the morning operation after he spent more than five years behind bars for a firearms offence.

“NSW police would like to thank the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and Corrective Services NSW for their assistance with this morning’s successful operation,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.

Ibrahim was recently granted parole in September but remained in prison after authorities struck a deal with immigration instead of sending him to the Villawood detention centre.

Ibrahim’s lawyer, William Levingston, said his client would ­vigorously fight any attempt to deport him.

Ibrahim is currently being held in Perth’s Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, ­although his lawyer warned that he might soon be sent to Christmas Island. “He will be allowed to make those representations (against his deportation) as soon as he is placed in immigration ­detention,” Mr Levingston said.

“I’ve also got instruction from various family members who ­reside in Sydney and Queensland and I’ve got clear and firm­ ­instructions from him to fight his deportation.”

Mr Levingston warned that Lebanese authorities had presented evidence that showed that ­Ibrahim would be killed “if he were to step foot on Lebanese soil due to some feud that happened with Sam’s father in Lebanon”.

“Speaking to members of the family, they have said there are people who are personally targeting Sam if he steps back there, which makes his deportation very difficult,” he said.

Mr Levingston said the whole operation to deport Ibrahim, “who had no violent incidents in the last 10 years”, was ridiculous.

“It’s an egregious show of force that’s unnecessary and that shows NSW police are clearly trying to make this an issue when it’s clearly not,” he said.