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Police claim breakthrough in Melbourne’s hospitality wars, alleging links to overseas crime figure

Victoria police say they have arrested ‘high-ranking’ man from syndicate accused of orchestrating arson attacksFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice have arrested a man they say orchestrated a wave of Melbourne arson attacks on behalf of a crime syndicate based in the Middle East, marking a major development in the city’s escalating hospitality wars.Detectives claim the arrest is the most significant since an outfit known as “The Commission” – allegedly led by Kazem “Kaz” Hamad – started targeting Victorian tobacco stores three years ago. That spree of arson attacks more recently morphed into violence at licensed venues. Continue reading...