Two men are standing trial to fight allegations they conspired to kill Sydney nightclub identity John Ibrahim.
Yousif Zrayka, 22, and his co-accused Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi, 24, were charged with conspiring to murder the former Kings Cross night-life figure in July 2024.
They have both pleaded not guilty to a string of charges including conspiring and agreeing to murder another person.
In the Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday, the pair’s judge-alone trial kicked off with the Crown outlining the allegations to the court.
The Crown alleged in the early hours of July 25, 2024, the pair 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.
CCTV footage captured the stolen car’s movements and is expected to be played at trial.
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 who cannot be named 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.
The Crown alleges the accused then got back into the stolen car, with it all captured on CCTV.
The pair were stopped by police shortly afterwards following a pursuit.
Mr Zrayka was arrested; however, while police attempted to arrest Mr Tupoulahi he allegedly destroyed a mobile and fled the scene.
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.
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