Police in Sydney have charged a Pacific Islander man who allegedly coordinated the horrific mistaken identity abduction and murder of an innocent grandfather.
Chris Baghsarian, 85, was snatched from his home in North Ryde in February by masked thugs, who filmed videos of him tied up and bleeding while being held captive in a safe house in Dural and sent them to the family of the intended target.
His body was found 11 days later near a golf course in Pitt Town.
The kidnappers are believed to have been targeting a relative of convicted armed robber turned wealthy businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, 37, whose family live on the same street. Both families are of Armenian descent.
NSW Police under Strike Force Chabot have since charged 11 people over Mr Baghsarian’s death, including four men whose arrests and charges were confirmed on Tuesday – Alesana Schaff, 32, Imran Shahrouk, 22, Vonghzell Leota, 21, and Julius Pula, 19.
Police allege Schaaf was “directly responsible” for the kidnapping, and that he both coordinated the crime and participated by physically detaining Mr Baghsarian, taking him to the address in Dural, and holding him for a $50 million ransom.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Marks said police alleged Schaaf accepted a contract put out by an overseas organised crime network for the kidnapping of another elderly person, leading to the botched abduction and murder of Mr Baghsarian.
“[Schaaf was allegedly] aware of that contract, whether he had direct links to the overseas people, we’re not entirely sure at this stage,” he said.
“But we are aware that he was in contact with someone that was directly linked to those overseas, and he [allegedly] took up the responsibility of actioning that contract.”
Schaaf was arrested on February 23 over an alleged domestic violence incident and charged with firearms and drug offences after police allegedly seized methamphetamine, cannabis and a pistol.
Investigators then uncovered alleged evidence that Schaaf was involved in the kidnapping, and he was arrested last week and charged with “take/detain in company with intention to ransom occasion actual bodily harm”, and murder.
He was refused bail and will face court again on July 17.
Police then arrested Shahrouk at Riverstone Police Station on Friday, Leota in Lethbridge Park on Monday, and Pula at Mt Druitt Police Station on the same day.
Shahrouk was charged with “take/detain in company with intention to ransom occasion actual bodily harm”, and murder.
Leota was charged with “accessory before the fact to take/detain in company with intention to ransom occasion actual bodily harm”, “accessory before the fact to murder”, and “possess prohibited drug”.
Pula was charged with “accessory before the fact to take/detain in company with intention to ransom occasion actual bodily harm”, and “accessory before the fact to murder”.
All were refused bail.
Header image: Left, Schaaf being arrested (NSW Police). Right, Chris Baghsarian (supplied).
