- Fadi Ibrahim has lost his bid to decrease his bail condition so he can work
- Ibrahim was extradited from Dubai to Sydney on tobacco smuggling allegations
- The 43-year-old wanted to return to work as builder and development consultant
- Magistrate denied the request over fears of witness interference by Ibrahim
Fadi Ibrahim (pictured) will remain on house arrest in his Sydney mansion after losing a bid in court to return to work as a builder and development consultant during the day
Fadi Ibrahim will remain under house arrest in a Sydney mansion after losing his bid to be allowed to work as a builder during the day and be subjected to a night curfew.
In Sydney’s Central Local Court on Thursday, the 43-year-old brother of Kings Cross nightclub identity John Ibrahim applied for his bail conditions to be varied from effective house arrest to a 9pm until 7am curfew.
Ibrahim was among four men extradited from Dubai to Sydney in September over their alleged roles in an international drug and tobacco-smuggling conspiracy but he is not alleged to be involved with any drug deals.
He’s accused of putting up $800,000 to fund a tobacco importation deal so he could double his money on return.
Ibrahim previously raised a $2.2 million surety, including contributions from his business partner and wife, to be on house arrest in a Dover Heights mansion and can leave for court, legal meetings, medical emergencies or the gym.
Ibrahim’s solicitor, Abbas Soukie, told Sydney’s Central Local Court the 43-year-old was ‘surviving on a very limited income’ as his assets had been frozen
On Thursday, his solicitor Abbas Soukie said Ibrahim wanted to return to work as a builder and development consultant given ‘his assets are presently frozen’ and ‘he is surviving on a very limited income.’
Mr Soukie said Ibrahim would provide any employment details to the Australian Federal Police for transparency.
‘There is no need for him to be free post-9pm and before 7am,’ Mr Soukie said.
The crown prosecutor and Ibrahim’s sureties were not opposed to his application for bail variation.
But Magistrate Les Mabbutt rejected the application, saying the primary concern around Ibrahim potentially interfering with witnesses did not ‘stop and start’ with the clock.
His case is due back in court on February 7 next year.
The prosecution agreed with his request but Magistrate Les Mabbutt said there was no guarantee he would not attempt to interfere with witnesses if his bail conditions were lessened
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.