An unusual bail application has emerged in the NSW Supreme Court, featuring Omar Haouchar, a 32-year-old man with alleged ties to criminal activities, who is seeking release from prison. This request included an unexpected offer: a cemetery valued in the millions as collateral. Haouchar was arrested in January under suspicion of conspiring to murder a rival gang member outside a police station in central Sydney.
During the bail hearing, Haouchar’s barrister, Ertunc Ozen SC, informed the court that an associate had proposed the cemetery as security to bolster the case for his release. Justice Ian Harrison remarked that he had never previously encountered a cemetery offered as bail, highlighting the unusual nature of the situation.
While the cemetery’s value is uncertain due to its inability to be subdivided, it is estimated to be worth several million dollars. Haouchar, appearing via video link from Goulburn supermax prison, had previously been denied bail in February, with new evidence against him recently submitted by the prosecution.
The prosecution alleges that members of Haouchar’s crime group discussed plans for the murder of 30-year-old Andre Kallita using the encrypted messaging app Threema. Haouchar, identified by the handle “Invisible,” allegedly participated in a group chat titled “URGENT.” The plan reportedly involved a lookout monitoring Kallita’s movements as he reported to the police station for bail, alerting two shooters positioned nearby.
Ozen argued that the evidence linking Haouchar to the persona “Invisible” was insufficient, asserting, “The Crown simply cannot tie Invisible to this applicant… without that attribution, the crown case fails.” He further noted that since Haouchar was transferred to supermax custody, communication with his legal team had become exceedingly difficult, hindering his ability to prepare for the case adequately.
The Crown prosecutor, Rebecca Stefani, opposed the bail request, expressing concerns that Haouchar posed a continued risk of offending and might attempt to flee the state. She pointed out that he had spent 11 years in custody for various offences, including reckless wounding and directing a criminal group.
Authorities have linked the Haouchar syndicate to extensive illicit activities, including around $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency transactions, alongside numerous firearm and drug offences. Justice Harrison is set to deliver a ruling on the bail application after assessing additional submissions.