The man who was snatched from a western Sydney street last year was allegedly kidnapped and stabbed over a fake Covid-19 certificate scheme, a court has heard.
Tareek Hamzy appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday, arguing he should be released on bail while he answers allegations he was involved in the incident last year.
The 24-year-old was one of seven men arrested over the alleged stabbing and kidnapping at Merrylands in September.
Police alleged the 24-year-old victim was attacked by a group of men on Rickard St and forced into a white Toyota Hiace van.
It’s alleged the man was taken to a vacant Auburn unit where he was detained for several hours and stabbed.
He was released and discovered at Birrong later that day with stab wounds to his shoulders.
The court was played a video of the kidnapping, with a man heard on the recording saying: “They just kidnapped the guy. F***ing bastards.”
The court heard there was no dispute that the victim was kidnapped and violence was involved, however Mr Hamzy disputed that he played any role in the incident.
Mr Hamzy was among seven men arrested over the alleged kidnapping, alongside fellow Hamzy family members Ibrahem Hamze and Haissam Hamzy.
All three have been charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm.
Mr Hamzy appeared via videolink from Shortland Correctional Centre on Wednesday, as he applied to be freed on bail.
His barrister Greg James SC proposed he be released on strict conditions, including offering a $80,000 surety and to wear an electronic ankle monitor.
The crown argues Mr Hamzy’s fingerprints had been found on two cars which were parked on the suburban street from where the victim was kidnapped.
“If those fingerprints are right, on two random cars at the scene of this serious crime, where he had no apparent reason to be, it’s a remarkable coincidence if he’s not involved in the joint criminal enterprise that was clearly taking place,” Justice Peter Garling said.
Mr Hamzy’s barrister said he was seeking expert evidence about the alleged fingerprints and whether they could link him to the scene.
The crown prosecution opposed his bail application, saying he was linked to the incident through the Hiace van which was registered to his sister. It is not alleged that his sister has engaged in any wrongdoing.
The court also heard that call charge records linked Mr Hamzy to key places including a meeting at Condell Park before the abduction.
He was arrested when he surrendered himself to Bankstown Police Station in January.
Mr James argued Mr Hamzy was not a risk to the community because he had not committed an offence between the alleged kidnapping in September and handing himself in.
Mr James further argued he was not a flight risk because of his extensive links to the community.
The court heard that (police have) alleged the man was abducted because he had promised to provide to the group fake Covid-19 vaccine certificates.
“The assertion is that (Mr Hamzy) was involved with others in attempting to obtain false Covid certification for the purpose of being able to attend work on construction jobs,” Mr James said.
The court also heard the group allegedly forced the man xjmtzywto transfer $22,000 after a demand was made for $40,000.
James argued that matter wasn’t likely to go to trial until mid-2023 and any time spent in jail on remand would exceed any sentence which would be imposed should he be found guilty.
“At no stage is there any material pointing out any particular role on my client’s part,” Mr James said.
Justice Garling reserved his decision on Mr Hamzy’s bail application for a later date.
