Majid Alibadi has been sentenced to a maximum of five and a half years in prison following his involvement in significant criminal activities during the peak of Victoria’s tobacco wars. In 2023, he faced charges of inciting arson and car theft linked to the criminal organization led by tobacco figure Kazen Hamad.

Alibadi, a prominent associate of the incarcerated Kazem Hamad, will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of three years. The sentencing follows his conviction for orchestrating arson incidents, including a fire at the Karizma restaurant in Docklands, owned by Fadi Haddara, a figure connected to the underworld, who was recently shot outside his residence in Altona North.

Additionally, Alibadi was implicated in a fire at a reception center in Tullamarine, with prosecutors estimating the total damages from these incidents to be nearly $2 million. Appearing via video link in the County Court, Alibadi, dressed in a white T-shirt, declined to attend in person as Judge Duncan Allen characterized his criminal behavior as “brazen” and “meticulously planned.”

Judge Allen emphasized the severity of Alibadi’s actions, stating, “There can be no doubt this offending is extremely serious.” Prosecutors have identified Alibadi as an “upper-level middleman” within the criminal enterprise, often referring to Maytham Hamad, Kazem Hamad’s younger brother and second-in-command, in familial terms.

According to court documents, Alibadi was responsible for arranging stolen vehicles, counterfeit license plates, fuel containers, and clothing for individuals tasked with setting fire to various venues across Melbourne. Law enforcement officials tracked Alibadi’s movements using GPS devices and eavesdropping equipment, placing him at the scene of the fires.

Evidence also revealed Alibadi and Maytham Hamad, who is currently in custody in Western Australia for alleged involvement in over $1 million worth of criminal proceeds, were seen laughing while viewing videos of recent arson incidents linked to the Haddara family. On another occasion, Alibadi was overheard expressing a desire for the Karizma restaurant to remain closed during Christmas.

In determining the sentence, Judge Allen acknowledged Alibadi’s guilty plea and his commitment to overcoming a methamphetamine addiction that began when he was just 13 years old. The court also noted Alibadi’s diagnosis of severe post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, attributed to the violent circumstances he experienced during his family’s return to Iraq amidst the rise of ISIS.

Chris Murray, the head of the arson squad, and several detectives were present during the sentencing. Alibadi, who had been out on bail prior to sentencing, appeared in court wearing an expensive Dolce & Gabbana sweater. His defense attorney, Dermot Dann KC, emphasized Alibadi’s acceptance of responsibility and recognition of the harm caused to victims, asserting that he had reflected on his actions and desired to change, while also admitting that his drug use could not excuse his behavior.

However, prosecutors countered that Alibadi was not merely a low-ranking member but rather an organizer within the criminal network. Supporters of Alibadi were seen offering him encouragement during the proceedings before he was taken into custody. At the time of his arrest in 2024, Alibadi was unemployed and living with his parents, yet he was found driving a luxury $95,000 Mercedes-Benz and reportedly spending lavishly at high-end boutiques and restaurants.

The court previously heard that Alibadi managed an encrypted group chat titled the “Crime Family Group Chat” with the Hamad brothers, where they allegedly issued direct orders. Dann noted that Alibadi’s connection to the Hamad family dates back to their shared childhood in Iraq, where the families lived in the same war-torn village before relocating to Australia. He stated that the life sentence imposed on Kazem Hamad for drug trafficking in Iraq, along with Maytham Hamad’s current detention, would allow Alibadi to sever ties with the Hamad syndicate, presenting him with an opportunity to forge a new path.

Had Alibadi not entered a guilty plea, Judge Allen indicated that he could have faced a sentence of up to seven years.