Sydney Lawyer Abdul Saddik Challenges Police Warrant in Underworld Examination
Sydney lawyer Abdul Saddik is challenging a police warrant seeking access to data from his phone, arguing messages sought by investigators are not exempt from legal professional privilege. The case centers on an investigation into alleged perverting the course of justice offences, linked to claims of drug supply and firearms connections within Sydney’s criminal underworld.
Police are seeking data relating to Mr. Saddik’s communications with alleged crime figures including Alameddine family patriarch Rafat Alameddine, his brothers Hamdi and Rachad, and alleged crime boss masood Zakaria. A court document reveals police also requested data on Mr. Saddik’s betting activity at Star casino, suspecting it might potentially be linked to proceeds of crime.
Mr. Saddik maintains there is no evidence of perverting the course of justice on his phone and denies police claims that the messages are not protected by legal privilege, stating “including as there are none.”
This is not the first time Mr. Saddik has challenged a police warrant. In 2023, he successfully contested a warrant related to the shooting of lawyer Mahmoud Abbas in Greenacre, despite police believing communications between the two men would assist their investigation. Mr. Saddik was never accused of involvement in the shooting.
Rafat Alameddine is currently in lebanon and wanted by NSW Police for murder charges related to shootings during Sydney’s 2021 gangland feud, a period that saw seven deaths in 18 months. Police allege he leads a crime clan involved in a war with the Hamzy family.
Mr. Saddik is seeking a Supreme Court declaration that the warrant is invalid, the return of his phone, and for NSW Police to cover his legal costs.A hearing is scheduled for later this year. He has not been charged with any criminal offences.
