John Ibrahim kill plot: Yousif Zrayka, Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi in court over conspiring to kill
A triple-0 call played in court has detailed the terrifying moment a man was stopped by an armed, masked man allegedly targeting John Ibrahim.
The terrifying moment an eastern suburbs man was stopped by an armed and masked man – who is accused of conspiring to kill Sydney nightclub identity John Ibrahim – has been detailed in a triple-0 call played to a court.
Yousif Zrayka, 22, and his co-accused Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi, 24, were charged with conspiring to murder the former Kings Cross figure in July 2024.
They have both pleaded not guilty to a string of charges, including conspiring and agreeing to murder another person.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In the Downing Centre District Court on Thursday, a triple-0 call was played, detailing the moment a man, with a similar car to Mr Ibrahim, was stopped by the armed men.
The witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the operator he was driving up a hill in Dover Heights when a car in front of him stopped.
“A guy got out with a handgun and balaclava and looked at me,” he said.
“There was at least two people in the car … islander … they had gloves … in balaclavas … and hiding his face … with a hoodie on.”
The witness said the two men were driving a luxury dark grey Cupra Leon.
“Did they make any threats to you?” the operator asked.
“He stood there and looked at me … he had the gun in his hand … and I put my hands up,” the man replied.
“He stood there looking at me, he had a pistol in his hand, didn’t raise it … but was looking directly at me and I just put my hands in front of me like … if they wanted the car or whatever take it … it was all in a few seconds.
“He looked at me for a few seconds and then got back in the car and left.”
CCTV was also played to the court which shows the man driving in a Range Rover behind the Cupra which suddenly stops before an armed man wearing a balaclava gets out.
He turns and looks at the driver of the Range Rover and seemingly begins raising the glock before lowering it and getting back in the car.
In the Crown’s opening submissions on Wednesday, they allege in the early hours of July 25, 2024, the pair had travelled in a stolen car with fake registration plates from Chester Hill in Sydney’s west to Dover Heights in Sydney’s east.
They arrived at Dover Heights shortly after 7am and parked a short distance away from Mr Ibrahim’s home, the court was told.
It’s alleged the pair remained parked on the street for more than an hour, with Mr Zrayka in the driver’s seat and Mr Tupoulahi in the passenger seat.
They were both wearing all black clothing, gloves and balaclavas.
About 8am, a Range Rover, with a similar appearance to Mr Ibrahim’s drove away before Mr Zrayka pulled out in front of the car but then pulled over to allow it to pass, the court was told.
A few seconds later another Range Rover driven by a witness in the trial drove by.
The Crown alleges Mr Zrayka then pulled out in front of the witness and blocked the car before Mr Tupoulahi got out of the car and briefly raised a Glock pistol towards the driver.
A short time later they were stopped by police.
Mr Zrayka was arrested; however, while police attempted to arrest Mr Tupoulahi he allegedly destroyed a mobile and fled the scene, the Crown said.
Half an hour later he was arrested by police.
A search of the stolen car located two loaded firearms, two full containers of petrol, two jet lighters and a bag with rubber gloves, the court was told.
Police also found keys to three other stolen cars.
In total, the criminal enterprise involved six stolen and mostly high-end motor vehicles.
The court was told these facts were not in dispute; however, the predominant issue of the trial is whether the Crown can prove beyond reasonable doubt the accused conspired to murder Mr Ibrahim.
Mr Zrayka has pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol and one count of using an offensive weapon in company.
He has pleaded not guilty to conspiring and agreeing to murder any person and attempting to discharge a firearm with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Mr Tupoulahi has pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol.
He has pleaded not guilty to conspiring and agreeing to murder any person, using offensive weapon in company and attempting to discharge a firearm with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The trial, which is expected to span four days, continues.
