Fugitive wanted for Sydney murder fled Australia six days after home raid

A key suspect in a brutal Sydney gangland murder has evaded Australian authorities, fleeing the country just six days after police raided his home. Rabieh Baltagi, 30, is wanted by the homicide squad over the June 2022 shooting death of underworld figure Yusuf Nazlioglu.

Nazlioglu, a former bikie, was gunned down in a Rhodes car park shortly after being cleared of another murder. Police allege Baltagi and an accomplice were paid $300,000 to carry out the execution. While two other men have been convicted for their roles in the plot, Baltagi remains at large overseas.

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We also want to make it absolutely clear that anyone assisting these men to evade law enforcement may be committing a serious criminal offence.

During the trial of one of the convicted men, it was revealed that Baltagi had visited the individual overseas after the shooting. Police had searched Baltagi's home on July 6, 2022, in connection with Nazlioglu's murder, discovering secure 'Ciphr' phones commonly used by underworld figures. Baltagi was not arrested at the time. Six days later, he boarded a flight to Lebanon and has not been seen since.

NSW Police recently named Baltagi as one of their nine most wanted fugitives. Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook emphasized the importance of tracking fugitives' movements and warned that anyone assisting them could face serious criminal charges. Mutual legal assistance processes are underway to extradite Baltagi to New South Wales to face the allegations.

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If you are providing support, you should stop immediately and consider the consequences.