Victoria
Accused gangster Masood Zakaria challenges double murder charges
Accused gangster Masood Zakaria is seeking to have double murder charges dismissed, claiming he was kidnapped and returned to Australia.
Masood Zakaria, an accused gangster, has commenced a legal challenge in an attempt to have double murder charges against him thrown out of Australian courts. Mr Zakaria claims he was unlawfully kidnapped by a private security company before being returned to Australia in 2023.
According to a wire report, the accused is arguing that the circumstances of his return to the country should invalidate the ongoing prosecution against him. His legal team has raised significant questions over the involvement of the private security firm, asking why there has been so much secrecy surrounding the details of his repatriation.
The specific details of where Mr Zakaria was located before his return, and how the private security firm allegedly carried out the abduction, have not been fully detailed in the initial proceedings. It is also not yet confirmed what level of coordination occurred between the private contractors and Australian law enforcement agencies, including the Australian Federal Police.
Mr Zakaria remains in custody while his legal team pursues the application to stay the double murder charges. The prosecution is expected to defend the jurisdiction of the Australian courts to hear the charges, arguing that the trial should proceed regardless of how the accused was returned to the country.
The court will continue to hear arguments from both the defence and the prosecution regarding the propriety of the extraction operation and the involvement of private actors.
The court is next expected to consider further submissions on the legality of the repatriation process before deciding whether the criminal trial can proceed.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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