The alleged mastermind behind the execution of a Sydney teenager who was shot in his bed last year blew kisses to his teary mother when he faced court today.
Abdul Abu-Mahmoud, 33, has been charged over the murder of 15-year-old Brayden Dillon, who was fatally shot in the head while sleeping at his Glenfield house on Good Friday in April 2017.
Police say someone armed with a gun, whose face was covered, kicked in the front door of the house where they were confronted by Brayden's mother.
It is alleged Mr Abu-Mahmoud coordinated the killing after Brayden's older brother allegedly stabbed his nephew to death at Panania in July 2016.
Homicide detectives arrested the Brothers 4 Life associate when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Phuket last night.
Appearing on screen at Central Local Court today, Mr Abu-Mahmoud showed little emotion when he was formally refused bail by Magistrate Robert Williams.
It is believed he had been hiding out in Thailand for more than a year, and fled Australia before a warrant for his arrest was issued in September last year.
After arriving home last night, Mr Abu-Mahmoud was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
Four other people are before the courts, including the alleged gunman Conrad Craig, his sister Kimberly Craig, Sophie Massie and a Condell Park man.
Mr Craig was charged with murder in July last year, while Ms Craig was charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder.
Ms Massie, 32, has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder.
She admitted to driving Mr Craig to and from the south-west Sydney home in her white Mazda and pleaded guilty.
The Condell Park man was arrested three weeks ago and was charged with being an accessory after the fact, knowingly participating in a criminal group and doing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice.
New South Wales police say investigations are continuing.
