Judge surprised as underworld figure offers to put up cemetery as bail collateral
Share this @internewscast.com

An underworld figure desperate for release from prison has wagered a multi-million-dollar cemetery as collateral, taking a judge by surprise.

Omar Haouchar, 32, was arrested in January over an alleged conspiracy to murder a rival gang member outside the Day St police station in Sydney’s city centre.

His barrister told a Supreme Court bail hearing that a person close to Haouchar had put forward a cemetery as security to support his release application.

32-year-old Omar Haouchar has been charged over the alleged murder plot
Omar Haouchar was denied bail over the alleged conspiracy to gun down a rival gang member. (Nine)

”I’ve never seen a cemetery offered as security before,” Justice Ian Harrison told the NSW Supreme Court today.

The valuation of the cemetery was uncertain because, unlike its surrounding property, it was not available for subdivision, barrister Ertunc Ozen SC said.

But it was estimated to be worth millions of dollars.

Haouchar, who appeared in court via a video link from the Goulburn supermax remand centre, was previously denied bail in February.

Since that time, Ozen said further documents had been tendered to the court by prosecutors, detailing evidence against his client.

Associates of the Haouchar crime network allegedly used encrypted app Threema to discuss murdering 30-year-old Andre Kallita in December 2023.

Prosecutors claimed that Haouchar was using the handle “Invisible” in an encrypted group chat titled “URGENT”.

The murder plot involved a lookout, waiting to see Kallita report to the police station for bail, alerting two shooters waiting close by, according to a police statement filed with the NSW Supreme Court.

But Ozen said there was insufficient evidence to prove Haouchar is Invisible.

“The Crown simply cannot tie Invisible to this applicant,” he told the court.

“This is the crux of the crown case, and without that attribution, the crown case fails.”

He also argued that since Haouchar’s transfer to supermax, his ability to communicate with his legal team had been limited and this would result in delays to court proceedings.

“The conditions of custody make it nearly impossible for him to prepare for this matter,” Ozen said.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Stefani opposed bail, arguing Haouchar posed a risk of committing further offences and attempting to leave the state.

She told the court he had spent 11 years in custody for a slew of offences. 

These included reckless wounding, aggravated burglary and directing the activities of a criminal group.

The Haouchar syndicate, largely operated by leaders based in Lebanon, has been tied to $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency transactions and various firearm, drug, tobacco and money-laundering offences, police said previously.

Justice Harrison will make his decision on the bail application after further submissions have been filed.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Suspected Perpetrator in Quadruple Murder Case Speaks Out: Report

Insets, left to right: Austin Drummond (Tennessee Department of Correction), Adrianna Williams…

FBI Arrests Mother of Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez

Left: Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez (Everman Police Department). Right: Cindy Rodriguez-Singh (FBI). A hard-sought…

Idaho Dad Fatally Shoots Teen Daughter, 18

A 51-year-old Idaho man is behind bars after he allegedly shot his…

Three Men from Ocala Arrested for Easter Shooting at TB McPherson Center

Courtesy Gainesville Police Department Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gainesville Police…

Video footage reveals murder of 94-year-old by son-in-law: Police

Sy Van Nguyen was suffocated by his son-in-law at his Santa Rosa,…

Be On The Lookout: South Carolina Girl Missing After Entering SUV with Unidentified Driver

Police in South Carolina are searching for a 16-year-old Sumter County girl…

Police Report: Man Accused of Inflicting Fatal Blows on Infant Over 40 Times

Share copy link Background: The neighborhood in Grimes, Iowa, where police were…

Tragic Incident Occurs in Front of Family Days Before Thanksgiving

Left: Richard David Simms Jr. (Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Nicole L.…

Erik Menendez Meets California Parole Board Today: Key Details

Erik Menendez, one of the two California brothers convicted of murder, is…

Deputies Report: Son Allegedly Stabs Mother During Her Sleep

Inset left: Lara Lyons (DeSoto Parish Schools). Inset right: Connor Lyons (Caddo…

False Accusation of Sexual Assault Made Against Military Doctor by Woman

Veronika Rodriguez (Lebanon County District Attorney”s Office). A woman from Pennsylvania has…

Man Sentenced for Crashing Into US Airman at 117 MPH

Background: News footage of Hetsel Campos in court on Aug. 19 (KLAS).…