14 hours ago
Sydney rapper Ali Younes granted bail after diamond ring claims
A Sydney rapper has been granted bail after a court heard that a diamond-encrusted ring police allege is the proceeds of crime was a 'free of charge' promotional gift.
But lawyers for Ali Younes, stage name Ay Huncho, stopped short of answering questions about whether he is or used to be an associate of the Alameddine crime family.
Mr Younes, 28, was arrested on July 10 when police allegedly caught him driving 130km/h in a roadworks zone north of Coffs Harbour.
Police also charged him with dealing with the proceeds of crime, which the court heard were alleged to be a diamond ring, $4550 in cash and other jewellery and clothing in his possession.
He was remanded in custody as he had at the time been on a $1.8 million bail over charges of aggravated assault said to relate to an alleged incident on January 19, 2024.
During a new bail application on Monday, the court heard the ring's maker had written a letter stating it 'was provided as a promotional gift free of charge'.
Diamond Vault owner Jallal Ghazi, who is not accused of wrongdoing, wrote 'this decision was based on Mr Younes' significant online presence' and because his status as a rapper aligned with the 'luxury' lifestyle.
'We saw a valuable marketing opportunity to showcase our craftsmanship and design to a wider audience,' the letter, which was partially read to the court, stated.
An 'invoice' tendered to the court listed the ring at $14,000, which the Crown alleged contradicted claims the item was a gift.
Mr Younes' barrister Peter Lange, however, argued the document was not a 'proper invoice' and could have been provided to outline the materials the ring was made from.
He also said the value stated would make it difficult for the Crown to prove Mr Younes had possessed items worth more than $100,000 at the time of his arrest, as they allege in relation to the proceeds of crime charge.
Mr Lange told the court his client had been held in segregation while on remand because prison staff were acting on 'perceived past links to the Alameddine crime network'.
The court heard the ring had the phrase 'ready for war' engraved on it, which prosecutors allege was associated with the Alameddines.
Mr Younes was also known to wear streetwear bearing the term 'proper', the court heard, another 'well-known moniker' of the network.
Justice Richard Cavanagh put to Mr Lange that his client had been 'wearing items that seem to suggest he was still a member of the Alameddine crime network'.
Mr Lange said there 'are alternative explanations' for this and that he was not asking the judge to 'make a positive finding' either way about his client's alleged associations.
He added that the 'proper' clothing was a street wear label his client was affiliated with.
'You're asking me to say that Corrective Services believe he's a former member … but you're disavowing making any statement that he's a former member,' Justice Cavanagh said.
The defence barrister explained: 'I'm simply saying as a result of intelligence, he's in protective custody.'
Mr Lange said the bail conditions his client had previously been bound by over the alleged January 2024 incident had limited alleged anti-social behaviour to the driving and property offences before the court.
'Even if there is an affinity, if I could use that expression, the bail conditions have served their purpose,' he said.
Justice Cavanagh granted bail after finding Mr Younes' lawyers had shown cause why his detention was not justified and that he did not pose an unacceptable risk of further offending.
The judge noted prosecutors could have difficulty in proving the proceeds of crime charge or meeting the value of the items as alleged.
