Solved case · 2001
Also known as Bilal Razzak
The short answer
Between 2001 and 2009, a feud rooted in rival cannabis operations and marital breakdowns among three south-west Sydney families of Lebanese descent led to multiple shootings and killings, including the Lawford Street murders of Ziad Razzak and Mervat Nemra, and the murders of Ali Abdul Razzak, Ahmed Fahda and Abdul Darwiche.
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Suggest coverage for Darwiche–Razzak–Fahda family conflictThe Darwiche–Razzak–Fahda family conflict was a series of murders and assaults among three Australian families of Lebanese descent in south-west Sydney, New South Wales, occurring between February 2001 and March 2009. Some family members were part of rival cannabis operations, and marital breakdowns were also reportedly a factor. Khadjie Darwiche was married to Ali Abdul Razzak, and Ramzi Aouad was married to Donna Fahda; both marriages broke down, contributing to the escalating violence.
The conflict reportedly began with a February 2001 confrontation between Adnan Darwiche and Bilal Razzak at a Bankstown cafe, followed by shootings at both families' residences. A period of relative peace followed the 2001 death of Darwiche patriarch Farouk Darwiche, during which Adnan Darwiche reportedly abandoned his drug business and became more religious. The feud reignited in 2003 with the shooting of Khaled Taleb, the Yanderra Street shooting, and the murder of Ali Abdul Razzak outside Lakemba Mosque, for which Adnan Darwiche was later acquitted and no one else was charged.
The violence escalated further with the Lawford Street murders on 14 October 2003, in which Ziad Razzak and Mervat Nemra were killed in a shooting at a Greenacre house, and the murder of Ahmed Fahda on 30 October 2003 at a Punchbowl service station. Naseam El-Zeyat and Ramzi Aouad were convicted of Fahda's murder, but successfully appealed in 2011; a new trial was ordered, and the charges were later dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions in May 2012. Further incidents included the Kings Head Tavern shooting in December 2003 and the Mons Street shooting in May 2004, the latter resulting in convictions against Mohamed Razzak that were partly overturned on appeal.
Trials arising from the conflict took place in the Supreme Court and District Court of New South Wales. On 9 August 2006, Adnan Darwiche was convicted in relation to the shooting of Bilal Razzak, the Yanderra Street shooting and the Lawford Street murders, and acquitted of the murder of Ali Abdul Razzak; El-Zeyat, Aouad and Osman were also convicted of the Lawford Street murders. On 10 November 2006, Justice Bell sentenced Adnan Darwiche to two terms of life imprisonment and 20 years, and El-Zeyat and Aouad each to three terms of life imprisonment; Osman received 27 years.
Nearly five years after the last recorded family violence, Abdul Darwiche was shot and killed on 14 March 2009 outside a restaurant in Bass Hill in front of his family. Police suspected the killing was carried out by Mohammed Fahda in revenge for his brother Ahmed's 2003 murder. Mohammed Fahda was arrested on 28 September 2009, convicted of the murder, and sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment; an appeal of his conviction was dismissed.
In July 2020, crime journalist Mahmood Fazal published an essay on the conflict, focusing on Ramzi Aouad's case and detailing allegations of police corruption, intimidation and coercion in the judicial process, along with allegations of financial cooperation between the NSW Police Force and an alleged crime family.
A confrontation between Adnan Darwiche and Bilal Razzak at a Bankstown cafe reportedly sparked the conflict, followed by shootings at both families' residences.
Bilal Razzak was shot and paralysed by Adnan Darwiche (and a suspected second man) in his Bankstown unit.
Darwiche patriarch Farouk Darwiche died; a period of relative peace among the families followed.
Khaled Taleb was shot in both legs at a Bankstown butcher shop, reigniting the feud.
Yanderra Street shooting: gunmen fired dozens of rounds at a Condell Park house occupied by the Razzak family; no one was hit.
Ali Abdul Razzak was shot and killed near Lakemba Mosque.
Lawford Street murders: Ziad Razzak and Mervat Nemra were killed in a shooting at a Greenacre house.
Ahmed Fahda was fatally shot at a service station in Punchbowl.
Kings Head Tavern shooting occurred in Hurstville, injuring a bystander.
Mons Street shooting: Michael Darwiche was shot and injured outside his Condell Park home.
Three men were arrested at Star City Casino and questioned about Ahmed Fahda's murder.
Adnan Darwiche was arrested.
A Supreme Court jury acquitted Adnan Darwiche of charges related to Fahda's murder and convicted El-Zeyat and Aouad.
Adnan Darwiche was convicted in relation to the shooting of Bilal Razzak, the Yanderra Street shooting and the Lawford Street murders, and acquitted of the murder of Ali Abdul Razzak; El-Zeyat, Aouad and Osman were convicted of the Lawford Street murders.
Justice Bell sentenced Adnan Darwiche, El-Zeyat, Aouad and Osman.
A District Court jury acquitted Samear and Rabia Abdul Razzak of Mons Street shooting charges and convicted Mohamed Razzak.
Mohamed Razzak appealed his conviction and sentence in the Court of Criminal Appeal; some convictions overturned, sentence unchanged.
Abdul Darwiche was shot and killed outside a restaurant in Bass Hill.
Michael Darwiche and Michael Darwick were arrested by Strike Force Lieutenant officers in Bankstown.
Mohammed Fahda was arrested in connection with the murder of Abdul Darwiche.
El-Zeyat and Aouad successfully appealed their conviction for the murder of Ahmed Fahda; a new trial was ordered.
The Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges against El-Zeyat and Aouad regarding Fahda's murder.
Crime journalist Mahmood Fazal released an essay on the conflict, focusing on Ramzi Aouad's case and alleging police corruption.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
Shot and killed outside a restaurant in Bass Hill on 14 March 2009; also charged and acquitted in earlier proceedings related to the Yanderra Street shooting.[3]
Fatally shot at a Punchbowl service station on 30 October 2003.[3]
Shot and killed near Lakemba Mosque on 29 August 2003.[3]
Shot and paralysed on 17 June 2001; later charged and pleaded guilty to contempt of court for refusing to give evidence at trial.[3]
Killed in the Lawford Street shooting on 14 October 2003.[3]
Killed in the Lawford Street shooting on 14 October 2003.[3]
Convicted of the Lawford Street murders; sentenced to 27 years' imprisonment, eligible for parole in 22 years.[3]
Convicted of the shooting of Bilal Razzak, the Yanderra Street shooting and the Lawford Street murders; sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment and 20 years; acquitted of the murder of Ali Abdul Razzak and of charges related to Ahmed Fahda's murder.[3]
Convicted in relation to the Mons Street shooting; sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment; some convictions later overturned on appeal, sentence unchanged.[3]
Convicted of the murder of Abdul Darwiche; sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment; appeal dismissed.[3]
Convicted of the Lawford Street murders and originally convicted of Ahmed Fahda's murder; sentenced to three terms of life imprisonment; the Fahda murder conviction was overturned on appeal in 2011 and charges later dropped.[3]
Convicted of the Lawford Street murders and originally convicted of Ahmed Fahda's murder; sentenced to three terms of life imprisonment; the Fahda murder conviction was overturned on appeal in 2011 and charges later dropped.[3]
Charged as an accessory to the murder of Ahmed Fahda.[3]
Charged with firearms offences after police allegedly found a loaded handgun in his car in connection with the Darwiche-Razzak-Fahda family conflict; appeared at Burwood Local Court and was denied bail.[3]
Acquitted of all charges related to the Mons Street shooting.[3]
Acquitted of all charges related to the Mons Street shooting.[3]
From the record
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