Man accused of masterminding failed Sydney identity murder plot John Ibrahim refused bail

A man accused of plotting to kill Sydney identity John Ibrahim has been refused bail despite his lawyer proposing “extremely restrictive” conditions, including house arrest, electronic monitoring and a security up to $1.4 million.

Yousif Zrayka has been in custody since July, when he was arrested alongside Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi following reports of armed men in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The 21-year-old was accused of being the driver as the pair allegedly mistakenly stopped two vehicles of the same make and model as Mr Ibrahim near where he lives.

The alleged murder conspiracy involved stolen getaway vehicles with clone plates, balaclavas, gloves, fuel cans and loaded guns.

Mr Zrayka’s lawyer, Ertunc Ozen SC, told the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday that the crux of the case would be whether the Crown could prove the nature and scope of the agreement.

The mistaken identity shows a lack of planning, the defense argues

A phone in the defendant’s vehicle was directed to Mr Ibrahim’s address, the court heard.

Mr Ozen said the alleged plot may not have involved murder, but other serious crimes such as car theft, kidnapping, issuing some sort of threat or extortion through a relative.

He argued in court that it was “highly unlikely” that, if great effort had gone into planning a specific target, a conspiracy participant would simply miss that the other two stopped vehicles left an address different

Mr Ozen also claimed his client was a young man who had never been in custody and his trial might not take place until early 2026 “at best”.

Mr Zrayka’s proposed conditions included living with his family and an ankle bracelet that would set off an alarm if he left the house.

His family put up a $500,000 bond through the equity in their home, which could be increased to $1.4 million.

Caroline Ervin, for the Crown, told the court that if the plan was extortion or kidnapping, there would be no need for the firearms to be loaded.

“It is the Crown’s contention that the only reason those firearms were loaded was so they could be used in that conspiracy to commit that murder,” she said.

Ms Ervin said an extensive examination of a phone showed much of the planning and preparation took place via the device.

“The concern there is that he is still able, even in his own home, to use a phone to commit crimes.”

The court is trying the accused found with cash on the flight

The court also heard that Mr Zrayka was on a parole order at the time for two charges, including property in custody and possession of a small amount of testosterone.

Police facts from that earlier matter allege he traveled to Tasmania, returned the same day and was searched at the airport by officers who allegedly found $45,000 in cash taped to his lower back with scratch foil.

Judge Ierace refused bail, saying there appeared to be a serious criminal record and her possession of a loaded firearm suggested she was prepared to release her if necessary.

“As I understand it, investigations are ongoing and there could be further arrests,” he said.

The judge said the facts alleged in the present case, together with the previous case, left open an inference of associations with organized crime.

The case against both men will return to court early next month.