Kingpin behind Australian tobacco war and Jewish synagogue firebombings is sentenced to life behind bars in Iraq

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 08:58, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 09:22, 28 July 2026 A former Melbourne kingpin has been sentenced to life behind bars in Iraq. Kazem Hamad, also known as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami, was deported to Iraq in 2023. He was accused of being one of the key orchestrators of the Melbourne tobacco wars, tied to infamous firebombings around the city. Iraq's National Center for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJC) this week found Hamad guilty of importing drugs into Iraq and Australia. He was handed a life sentence by the Karkh Criminal Court in Baghdad. 'The convict is considered one of the most wanted individuals by Iraqi and international judiciaries,' the NCIJC said. 'He is responsible for importing large quantities of narcotics into Iraq and Australia, smuggling heroin, and is linked to transnational organised crime gangs involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, kidnapping, extortion, and organised violence.' A statement from January described Hamad as 'one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world'. Kazem Hamad (above) was sentenced to life behind bars in Iraq 'He is responsible for importing large quantities of drugs into Iraq and Australia, as well as smuggling heroin,' it said. 'He is also involved with the most prominent organised crime gangs in Australia - Sydney, responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion, and drug imports.' The news comes as intelligence obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald tied Hamad to the firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne. The outlet alleged Hamad and his cousin, Ahmed Al Hamza, struck a deal with the Iranian government to allow them to run the 313 gang from the Middle East. The syndicate has been linked to more than 200 firebombings and a nationwide illicit tobacco smuggling network. The 313 is also suspected of involvement in several murders and shootings.  In exchange, the pair alleged organised the attack on Adass which saw three masked men douse the inside of the synagogue with petrol before setting it alight on December 6, 2024. Australian authorities previously declared the incident a terrorist attack and traced it to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.   Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.