Australia's most wanted criminal and Alameddine heavyweight. Masood Zakaria who was recently captured in Turkey has faced Turkish courts in the capital Ankara.

According to reports, Zakaria's legal team is seeking his extradition to Afghanistan instead of Australia.

Allegedly, Zakaria is reluctant to be deported to Australia because he is aware that he could face severe legal consequences and potentially spend the rest of his life in prison.

It may seem surprising to many why a criminal would prefer to be extradited to a war-torn and unstable country like Afghanistan, but the reason is simple that Zakaria has ties in Afghanistan, such as family and business connections he also has a support system in place in Afghanistan, and feels that he can easily navigate the legal system better in Afghanistan due to his connections and familiarity with the country. Another reason being that once he is in Afghanistan he will make his moves and escape to neighbouring Lebanon, Pakistan or even to Iran.

Zakaria could be charged with up to 11 alleged offences - including conspiracy to murder, directing a criminal group, drug supply and dealing with proceeds of crime - when he returns to Australia.

Zakaria’s next court appearance is scheduled for the end of March.

28 years old Zakaria, was captured by Turkish Special Forces in raids in the port city of Bodrum in January after allegedly fleeing Sydney in late 2021 when an arrest warrant was issued for his alleged involvement in an attempted gangland murder of rival Ibrahem Hamze of the notorious Hamzy crime family. he allegedly fled Australia hidden inside a fishing trawler which left Western Australia headed to Malaysia.