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"President Carrot' comment sparks alleged retribution from bikie gang, court told

By court reporter Candice Prosser
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Alleged victim Halow Shamseddini was a former Hells Angels bikie gang member.

AAP
Hells Angels bikie gang members allegedly sought retribution against a former member after he called the leader "President Carrot" on social media, the South Australian Supreme Court has heard.

Daniel Tamas, 29, and Stefanos Anagnastopoulos, 31, were arrested after the house of Halow Shamseddini was attacked three times in late May.

They were charged with arson and damaging property for a criminal organisation.

The Supreme Court heard the defendants allegedly poured petrol on a large iron fence surrounding the property at Mile End and tried to set it on fire, but were caught by police nearby after Mr Shamseddini called triple-0.

The court heard that just a few days earlier Mr Shamseddini's house was allegedly subjected to a Molotov cocktail attack, followed by a drive-by shooting, but he refused to cooperate with police.

Prosecutor Chris Edge told the court Mr Shamseddini had recently left the gang and had posted "silly and offensive" comments about the club on social media and in text messages, allegedly prompting the club to seek retribution.

One of the comments read: "Shame on you Mr President, President Carrot."

"There's no doubt [Mr Shamseddini] is antagonising these people, for whatever reason," Mr Edge said.

The triple-0 call made by Mr Shamseddini was played to the court, during which banging and yelling could be heard in the background.

Mr Shamseddini told the operator "they are smashing things" and "bullets coming", although the court heard there was no evidence of a shooting on that occasion.

He can also be heard to say "they are trying to come in" and "they are smashing in".

Mr Edge said it demonstrated the defendants were allegedly trying to intimidate Mr Shamseddini and there was an "obvious likelihood" of him being subjected to further violence.

"It shows the arson was only one part of what must have been tactics of intimidation," he said.

"How much further could this have gone if not for police attendance as a result of the triple-0 call?"

Fence 'too wet' to be lit by fire

Tamas' lawyer Eugene McGee said while his client admitted to being present and trying to set fire to the fence, he denied acting on behalf of the club.

Mr McGee said his client was simply attempting to retrieve somebody else's motorcycle that was in the possession of Mr Shamseddini.

He said the fire did not damage the fence and any effort to ignite it would have been futile.

"By throwing flammable liquid on an already wet metal fence, it's clear the likelihood of damage was minimal," Mr McGee said.

The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review of a magistrate's decision to grant bail to Tamas, who the court heard was the club's Sergeant at Arms and responsible for enforcing discipline.

Chief Justice Chris Kourakis refused bail.

He said he was satisfied that if Tamas was released from custody it would cause Mr Shamseddini to reasonably fear for his safety.

"The allegations in this matter are allegations of reprisals in a very serious way and in a very frightening way by a criminal organisation," Chief Justice Kourakis said.

The case will return to the Adelaide Magistrates Court for a committal hearing.

 

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