AFP boss to face court over $1m deportation of accused gangster

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett is expected to testify in the NSW Supreme Court concerning the controversial extradition of an alleged Sydney underworld figure. Barrett, along with her predecessor Reece Kershaw and other senior law enforcement officials, may be called as witnesses. The accused gangster, Masood Zakaria, is seeking to have his murder charges dismissed, arguing his deportation from Turkey to Sydney by a private contractor was unlawful and akin to a "kidnapping." Zakaria's legal team anticipates calling up to 35 witnesses. Zakaria faces charges including murder, conspiracy to murder, directing a criminal group, drug supply, and proceeds of crime offenses. He allegedly fled Australia in December 2021 and was arrested in Turkey in January 2023. Court documents reveal the AFP paid over $1 million to a company, Sky Traders, for Zakaria's custody and transport. These documents also detail how senior police celebrated the capture. Kershaw, the AFP commissioner at the time, is also slated to give evidence, having been in Turkey around the time of Zakaria's apprehension and receiving a gift of a tea set from Turkish authorities. Barrett is being summoned due to her involvement in extradition attempts during her prior role at the AFP.