Australia police say suspect in Cleo Smith abduction ‘acted alone’
PERTH, Australia: The man suspected of abducting a four-year-old Australian girl "acted alone", police said...
Brandon Maseuli and Yousef Rima, identified as part of an international criminal syndicate originating in Lebanon, have been charged by Australian police with conspiring to kill four members of the rap group OneFour.
Arrested in Sydney on Thursday, Maseuli, 26, and Rima, 20, face multiple charges, including conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, directing a criminal group, and various drug and robbery-related offenses.
Authorities are also seeking an arrest warrant for a 22-year-old man believed to be offshore. The alleged plot targeted four high-profile members of OneFour, with the motive linked to a conflict between the rap group and the criminal syndicate Sydney cell.
The investigation uncovered the plot as part of a broader inquiry into the syndicate, which is also implicated in several kidnappings, including one involving over 722kg (1,600 pounds) of cocaine. Both suspects appeared before the Liverpool Local Court on Thursday and were denied bail.
OneFour, a well-known Australian rap group, has faced previous police scrutiny due to their music’s dark themes and violent lyrics, leading to safety concerns that forced the cancellation of a national tour in 2019.
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