Tarek Zahed photo: Comancheros bikie sends chilling message to underworld after Sydney shooting

The president of Australia’s Comanchero bikie club delivered an unmistakable message when he shared photos of himself kissing the cheek of an underworld figure who narrowly survived an execution attempt.

Don’t dare come after Tarek ‘hard2kill’ Zahed again, because the club has his back.  

Comanchero boss Allan Meehan posted a selection of images of himself dining and drinking vodka with Zahed and heavily-tattooed associates at a Melbourne restaurant on Sunday. 

Zahed is the club’s national sergeant-at-arms who was shot 10 times – including through the eye – during a gym session in Prospect, western Sydney, in May

The pictures represented the first time Zahed, 41, had been seen in public since he was shot in the face in an attack that also claimed the life of his brother Omar, 39.

Comanchero boss Allan Meehan shared a photo of himself kissing Tarek Zahed on the cheek on Sunday – an unmistakable message that the club sergeant-at-arms should not be messed with

It is the first time Zahed has been spotted in public for the first time since his brother was killed and he was shot in the face

It is the first time Zahed has been spotted in public for the first time since his brother was killed and he was shot in the face

The pictures, which Meehan repeatedly posted to Instagram, represented a clear declaration of loyalty from Meehan – who wrote: ‘God bless the sarg’. 

But it shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the Comanchero gang has long been a tight-knit fringe group – detested by most in the underworld. 

‘The Comanchero have always been a group that have been on the fringe,’ said Dr Mick Kennedy, a lecturer in policing studies at the University of Western Sydney. 

‘No one really likes them.’

Dr Kennedy said the structure of bikie groups has changed over the past decade, with cohesion among members on the decline.

Despite the common perception members are loyal towards each other, Dr Kennedy said that value tends to only apply to not ratting one another other out.

‘The whole structure of bikie groups has changed over the past 10 years. They are more aligned.’

‘There used to be a lot of solidarity,’ he said. 

But these photos were certainly a message that the Comanchero do have his back. 

Three hidden meanings in the Comanchero photos  

1. ‘God bless the sarg’ 

By ‘Sarg’, Comanchero president Allan Meehan is referring to Tarek Zahed’s role as the Comanchero sergeant-at-arms – a senior position in the bikie group’s hierarchy

2. Black and gold 

Meehan was decked out in a black-and-yellow Versace jumper, while Zahed donned a Fendi-branded sweater in the same colours. Comanchero colours are black, gold and red. 

3. ‘hardtokill’

Meehan’s cheeky nickname for Zahed could be interpreted as a defiant message to his attackers, who failed to knock off the senior Comanchero figure

National president Allan Meehan (left) posted the picture with Zahed (right) on Sunday

National president Allan Meehan (left) posted the picture with Zahed (right) on Sunday

In May, Zahed miraculously survived an assassination attempt at Bodyfit Gym in Sydney's Auburn when he was shot multiple times

In May, Zahed miraculously survived an assassination attempt at Bodyfit Gym in Sydney’s Auburn when he was shot multiple times

Police and paramedics are seen trying to save the two men at the gym in May after the shooting - with pools of blood seen across the foyer

Police and paramedics are seen trying to save the two men at the gym in May after the shooting – with pools of blood seen across the foyer

Takek Zahed (seated) and his brother Omar (standing) were gunned down outside a gym in Sydney's west in May. Omar died as a result of the shooting

Takek Zahed (seated) and his brother Omar (standing) were gunned down outside a gym in Sydney’s west in May. Omar died as a result of the shooting

The gym's front door was shattered with bullet holes after the men were shot at 20 times on a busy road in Auburn

The gym’s front door was shattered with bullet holes after the men were shot at 20 times on a busy road in Auburn

Doctors were astonished by Zahed’s rapid recovery, which saw him released from hospital less than two months after the shooting. 

Despite being being shot 10 times, there are no visible scars to the face of the bikie hard man. 

But a source said he has completely lost sight in his right eye, rendering him virtually blind as he already had reduced vision in his left eye. 

‘He had an incident years ago that means vision in his left eye is only 20 to 30 per cent,’ the source told the Daily Telegraph. 

‘So with him likely being blind in his right eye now, he will be almost completely unable to see.’

Since leaving hospital in July, it’s believed Zahed has been laying low in Melbourne. 

Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said at the time police were investigating possible motives for the assassination attempt, refusing to rule out an inside job.

Zahed has been living in Melbourne since leaving hospital in July - but hasn't been spotted in public until Sunday's post from Meehan

Zahed has been living in Melbourne since leaving hospital in July – but hasn’t been spotted in public until Sunday’s post from Meehan

‘We can’t discount an internal conflict,’ he told reporters.

‘There is opportunities for people to take their place and there’s a real power struggle within organised crime organisations.’

A second line of inquiry is whether there is any connection to the shooting death of Mahmoud ‘Brownie’ Ahmad – another gangster who was shot and killed in April.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb noted Zahed had a target on his back due to his senior role within underworld crime networks.

‘He’s a senior member of the Comancheros… Australia’s largest criminal organisation,’ she said.

A police source earlier confirmed the hit on Zahed was considered the ‘biggest of the year’ in the criminal world. 

‘Whoever has done this is game to go toe-to-toe with the Comancheros and nobody does that,’ they said.

Commissioner Webb noted Zahed was warned just a few days before the shooting about a legitimate threat to his life and was told to leave NSW as soon as possible.

‘He went about his usual business, his normal routine,’ she said.

Police allege the Comancheros are in bed with the Alameddine crime family and help to supply the network with mussel. 

The Balenciaga Bikie’s life of crime:

1995: Tarek Zahed was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, resisting arrest and assaulting police.

2001: Police charged Zahed after he used a dog to attack someone. He spent eight months in periodic detention.

2004: Zahed spent five years behind bars after stomping on a man’s skull over a drug feud. The victim suffered brain damage. 

2009: Zahed becomes a hang-around of the Comanchero bikie club.

2011: A wild running street battle saw multiple men stabbed and Zahed’s associate shot with a nail gun before the Balenciaga Bikie fired four bullets from a moving car hitting a man in the ear and shoulder.  

He was sentenced to eight years prison, with a non parole period of five years. 

2012: Zahed became a fully patched member of the Comancheros.  

2020: Police are made aware that Zahed is now the national Sergeant At Arms of the outlaw motorcycle club.  

Zahed is convicted for dealing with the proceeds of crime after withdrawing thousands of dollars hidden in family member’s bank accounts. 

2021: He is caught on camera at Barangaroo in Sydney punching a man.  

Zahed leaves Australia for Lebanon. 

2022: Arrested and charged with two counts of contravening serious crime prevention order

Shot at 10 times outside gym in Auburn.

Believed to be living in Melbourne in the wake of the assassination attempt. 

Source: NSW Supreme Court records 

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