Name: Iraqi authorities arrest deported Melbourne tobacco kingpin
Uploaded: 2026-01-14T06:41:56.195Z
Duration: 1 min 54 s
Description: Notorious tobacco kingpin Kazem Hamad was arrested by Iraqi authorities following an official request from the AFP. The Melbourne kingpon was deported from Australia in 2023.

Notorious tobacco kingpin Kazem Hamad was arrested by Iraqi authorities following an official request from the AFP. The Melbourne kingpon was deported from Australia in 2023.

Baghdad

Iraqi authorities have arrested Qasem Hamad, a man described by officials as one of the most dangerous wanted criminals globally, following an official request and intelligence provided by the Australian Federal Police. Hamad, who was deported from Australia to Iraq in 2023, is alleged to have continued orchestrating violent crimes, including firebombings, murders, and extortion, from abroad.

The arrest is considered a significant disruption to Hamad's alleged operations in Australia, with law enforcement now able to pursue new investigative leads. While Australian authorities have not indicated if they will seek Hamad's extradition, experts suggest the case will likely remain under Iraqi jurisdiction, where the death penalty is a possibility.

Iraqi authorities arrest deported Melbourne tobacco kingpin

The number one target of Australia's top cop has been hit. Iraqi authorities have arrested Qasem Hamad, someone they call one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world. Making their move in response to an official request from Australia, the Australian Federal Police boss admits giving intelligence to Iraqi crime fighters, saying Iraqi officials have made an independent decision based on their own criminal investigation. A decision the AFP says is a significant disruption to Hamad's alleged operations in Australia. Now that can provide access for law enforcement to recruit informants, to notice changes in behaviour and find out who's associated with who. Hamad was deported from Australia to his native Iraq in 2023, but his criminal influence here didn't dwindle and the carnage grew. Tobacco turf wars led to firebombing after firebombing linked to Hamad. When arsonists got the wrong target, innocent woman Katie Tangi was killed. He's also been linked to the gangland execution of Sam the Punisher Abdul Rahim. Connections to the firebombing of the Adas Israel Synagogue in Riponlee have also been investigated. Iraq's National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation alleges he's responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, assaults, extortion and drug imports. Some of those in Iraq. This is a good development basically for everyone except Kaz, I guess. Being locked up in Iraq is a bad thing. Today, none of Australia's relevant authorities would indicate if they're pushing for Kazem Hamad to face justice here. Some experts argue any move to bring him back here wouldn't be worthwhile. I think the Australian government and the AFP will sit back and let the Iraqis look after this Iraqi criminal. In a country where the death penalty is very much a possibility. Rory Campbell, 10 News.

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