Sayed Moosawi: High-ranking bikie boss denies allegations he directed arson attacks on Bondi Beach

A former president of a Nomads chapter denies he directed arson attacks on two Bondi businesses after being one of 14 people arrested in relation to anti-Semitic crimes in Sydney’s east.

A high-ranking bikie boss has denied allegations he directed arson attacks at two businesses on Bondi Beach after he was one of 14 people arrested following investigations into anti-Semitic crimes across Sydney’s east.

One-time president of the Nomads Parramatta chapter — Sayed Mohammed Moosawi — was arrested at Burwood Police Station after being transferred from a correctional facility.

He was charged with knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, being an accessory before the fact to destroy property in company using fire, and being an accessory before the fact to damage property by fire or explosion.

The 34-year-old did not appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday morning, where his lawyer Zemarai Khatiz entered not guilty pleas on his client’s behalf.

Police allege in court documents Moosawi directed Craig Bantoft and Guy Finnegan “to intentionally and in company, cause damage” to the Curly Lewis brewery on Bondi Beach between 2am and 3am on October 13.

Former Nomads Parramatta chapter president Sayed Moosawi.

Bantoft and Finnegan have both pleaded guilty to destroying or damaging property in company, using fire with the latter being sentenced to 10 months jail.

It is further alleged Moosawi “intentionally or recklessly” destroyed the Lewis’ Continental Kitchen seven days later on October 20 between 2.30am and 4.30am and that he

directed a criminal group “whose activities were organised and ongoing”.

Court documents in Bantoft’s matter outlined how he and Finnegan were seen pouring accelerant underneath the door of the brewery before igniting the flames and fleeing.

The fire self-extinguished, but caused $65,000 worth of damage.

A day after the brewery fire, facts revealed Finnegan and Bantoft questioned whether they were given the wrong address with officers later finding messages between the pair on Signal which indicated they were following directions from a user going by the handle ‘jamesbond’.

The Daily Telegraph does not suggest Moosawi controlled or is linked to the handle ‘jamesbond’.

Strike Force Pearl investigators executed 11 simultaneous search warrants and three firearm prohibition orders – with assistance at five premises from the Australian Federal Police. Picture: NSW Police

One of the men arrested. Picture: NSW Police

A woman arrested by the strike force. Picture: NSW Police

Messages revealed ‘jamesbond’ unleashed on the pair for the botched fire, saying “f**k me it’s not even 2 per cent burned”.

Facts indicate Finnegan later messaged Bantoft saying “I’m starting to think he sent us to the wrong place lol”.

Neither Finnegan or Bantoft were charged over the Lewis’ Continental Kitchen arson attack.

Mr Khatiz said Moosawi would not be making a bail application and asked for the brief of evidence to be served by April 8.

Police prosecutor Sergeant David Langton said the matter had been referred to the DPP with Magistrate Stephen Barlow ultimately adjourning the matter to March 24.

Asked outside of court whether Moosawi directed the arson attacks, Mr Khatiz said “no”.

14 ARRESTS IN ANTI-SEMITIC BLITZ

Moosawi is one of 14 people arrested following investigations into anti-Semitic crimes in Sydney’s east with 65 charges laid.

Sayed Moosawi previously leaving Parramatta Local Court with lawyer Zemarai Khatiz (right).

The arrests, part of Strike Force Pearl, targeted individuals allegedly involved in arson attacks and graffiti across the Eastern Suburbs between October 2024 and February 2025.

It comes after police investigating an explosive-laden van found in a Dural property executed 11 search warrants along with three firearm prohibition orders across Sydney on Monday.

A 31-year-old Camperdown man was charged with directing criminal activities and arson-related offences, while two men from the Central Coast were charged over their alleged roles in providing vehicles used in a $3.4 million childcare centre arson attack. Others arrested face charges ranging from criminal group participation, drug possession and weapon offences to graffiti-related crimes.

Police allege a 33-year-old man vandalised properties in Randwick and Kingsford, while a 25-year-old man spray-painted vehicles in Queens Park.

Two men arrested in Penshurst face multiple charges, with one accused of resisting police and graffitiing sites in Maroubra, Eastgardens and Eastlakes.

Another man, 26, was arrested in Wentworth Point for alleged drug offences and dealing with proceeds of crime.

Along with Moosawi, another man who was also in custody was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged with an additional offence of destroying or damaging property intended for criminal activity of the group.

Two women were also arrested, one in Sutherland for drug-related offences and another in Eastlakes for possessing prohibited substances and an electronic stun device.

Strike Force Pearl has now resulted in 29 arrests and 143 charges.

Investigations continue.

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Originally published as Sayed Moosawi: High-ranking bikie boss denies allegations he directed arson attacks on Bondi Beach