Tobacco store arson 'ring leader' makes bid for freedom

Majid Alibadi, 25, on Thursday applied for bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court after he was arrested in March on fresh charges.

In total, he is facing more than 20 charges relating to alleged firebombings and car thefts across Melbourne between September 2023 and March.

The Hamad crime family was behind the series of arson attacks against the Haddara syndicate, Detective Leading Senior Constable Matthew Lindsay told the court.

The conflict between the Middle Eastern crime gangs was over the importation and distribution of illegal tobacco, the detective said.

Sen Det Lindsay claimed Alibadi was an "agent" for Kazem 'Kaz' Hamad, who was allegedly running the organised crime operations from the Middle East.

Police began bugging Alibadi's car after the grave of Meshilin Marrogi - from the Marrogi crime family - was desecrated in July 2023, the detective said.

He told the court there were several conversations where Alibadi allegedly organised the arsons and counselled others to carry out the attacks.

They include the firebombing of a Glenroy tobacco store in October and two arson attacks on the Karizma restaurant in Docklands in November.

Both businesses are owned by members of the Haddara family.

In more than two hours of evidence, Sen Det Lindsay detailed Alibadi's lavish lifestyle including a $30,000 shopping spree at Fendi, first class flights and regular Nobu visits.

Alibadi's brother also last week received $270,670 in cash to fund the 25-year-old's legal expenses, Sen Det Lindsay said.

The detective maintained if Alibadi was released on bail, there would be a very real threat to community safety.

One of the Haddaras also reported receiving threats on his and his family's lives, Sen Det Lindsay said.

But Alibadi's barrister Dermot Dann told the court there were fears for his client's safety in custody, which meant he was spending 23 hours a day in prison lockdown.

Mr Dann said there was a place at a residential rehabilitation facility available to Alibadi, where he could receive treatment for his drug addiction and be supervised.

The bail application before Magistrate Megan Casey continues.

Australian Associated Press