World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Prosecutors concede Masood Zakaria’s deportation from Turkey was illegal
Prosecutors have conceded Masood Zakaria’s deportation from Turkey was illegal under Turkish law.
The 31-year-old Sydney underworld figure was forcibly brought to Australia in December 2023 while an appeal against his deportation was pending.
Zakaria’s lawyers say the Australian Federal Police helped arrange his removal and want the NSW Supreme Court to permanently stop the proceedings against him.
He faces serious charges, including the murders of Toufik and Salim Hamze and conspiracy to murder Ibrahem Hamze.
If his application succeeds, those charges will not be prosecuted.
The AFP says its actions were lawful, and prosecutors plan to call an expert in Turkish law.
The hearing before Justice Edward Muston is expected to run for two weeks.
Prosecutors conceded in the NSW Supreme Court that Masood Zakaria’s deportation from Türkiye to Australia in 2023 was illegal.
They said he could not be deported while an appeal against Türkiye’s deportation decision was pending.
Zakaria is challenging murder charges over the 2021 killings of Salim and Toufik Hamze.
His lawyers are seeking a permanent stay of proceedings, arguing the Australian Federal Police facilitated an unlawful removal.
The AFP maintains its actions were lawful, and the hearing before Justice Edward Muston is expected to run for two weeks.
- Who
- Masood Zakaria, an alleged Sydney underworld figure, and prosecutors defending the charges against him.
- What
- Prosecutors conceded his deportation from Türkiye was illegal. Zakaria is challenging the charges, including murder.
- When
- The concession was made on Thursday, October 22, 2026. He was brought back to Australia in December 2023.
- Where
- The NSW Supreme Court in Sydney; Zakaria was deported from Türkiye.
- Why
- Prosecutors said a pending appeal against Türkiye’s deportation decision meant he could not legally be deported. Zakaria’s lawyers are seeking to have the charges stayed.
Masood Zakaria’s legal team
Australian Federal Police
Legality of deportation
Masood Zakaria’s legal team
Zakaria’s lawyers say his deportation was unlawful because his appeal was pending.
Australian Federal Police
The AFP maintains its actions were lawful.
Conduct of removal
Masood Zakaria’s legal team
His legal team alleges the AFP facilitated a forced removal akin to a kidnapping.
Australian Federal Police
The AFP’s position is that its actions were lawful.
Salim and Toufik Hamze were murdered, and Zakaria was later charged over the killings.
Zakaria was arrested at a seaside villa in Türkiye, according to the SMH.
Zakaria was brought back to Australia from Türkiye.
Prosecutors conceded in the NSW Supreme Court that his deportation was illegal.
- Deportation
- From Türkiye to Australia in December 2023
- Pending appeal
- Appeal against Türkiye’s deportation decision
- Charges
- Murders of Salim and Toufik Hamze
- Court
- NSW Supreme Court
- Judge
- Justice Edward Muston
2 sources
What people are saying
was prohibited from being deported
a kidnapping