A tobacconist says his store was attacked with explosives when he refused to give in to demands for payment.

According to Rabih Haddara, the owner of a tobacco store, his business was targeted in a firebombing just two weeks after he refused to comply with the demands of a notorious overseas crime boss. Today, Haddara presented his testimony in the Melbourne Magistrates Court during the first day of Majid Alibadi's committal hearing. Alibadi, 25, is facing 24 charges related to firebombings and car thefts that occurred in Melbourne between September 2023 and March.

Authorities allege that Alibadi is working for Kazem "Kaz" Hamad, who is believed to be running the organized crime operations of the Hamad family from the Middle East. The court has been informed that the Hamad syndicate and Haddara's gang are engaged in a fierce battle for control over the illegal tobacco trade in Victoria.

Haddara revealed that on September 23, 2023, Alibadi visited his Glenroy Vape Tobacconist store in northern Melbourne and handed him a phone with Kaz Hamad on a video call. During the call, Hamad claimed that the GVT store was under his jurisdiction and that Haddara would have to pay him if he wanted to continue his business. Through an interpreter, Haddara testified that he refused and responded to Hamad in Arabic, saying, "I pay you my dick".

Haddara also claimed that Alibadi asked him for a lighter and looked around the store for any CCTV cameras before leaving. The incident took place on October 10, 2023, causing significant damage worth over $450,000. Alibadi has been charged with arson and reckless conduct endangering life in connection with the arson.

In February, Haddara received a threatening call from a private overseas number and a text from an Australian number, according to his testimony. He admitted that he did not mention these details in his initial police statements, and he also did not mention Alibadi's alleged surveillance of the store. Alibadi, who has been out on bail since May, has denied all the allegations against him.

Magistrate Jillian Prior will hear from four more witnesses before deciding whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial. The committal hearing is expected to continue until Wednesday.

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