Two men arrested after a police pursuit and a violent struggle in Sydney's eastern suburbs were allegedly trying to kill prominent former nightclub owner John Ibrahim, it can be revealed.
On July 25, concerned residents called police after seeing a man carrying a gun walking along a street in Dover Heights, which is dotted with multimillion-dollar clifftop houses including Mr Ibrahim's property.
Witnesses also reported a man wearing a balaclava approaching a driver's car carrying a pistol. A short time later, the man left in a car.
Police later saw the vehicle travelling along Old South Head Rd at Bondi and tried to halt it, but the driver allegedly failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
Yousif Zrayka, 21, and Siaosi Maeakafa Tupoulahi, 24, were allegedly involved in a violent struggle with officers before they were overpowered and arrested.
Both were charged with stalking or intimidation, using a stolen vehicle and various firearms offences.
Tupoulahi was also accused of assaulting police and hindering their investigation.
Three days later, both were hit with a conspiracy-to-murder charge over the alleged plot to kill Mr Ibrahim.
Zrayka and Tupoulahi faced Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, where a suppression order over the businessman's identity was lifted after the former Kings Cross nightclub owner's lawyer dropped a bid to keep his name secret.
Mr Ibrahim was seen speaking to police on the day of the pursuit.
The Sydney identity, his family and his associates have previously been the targets of violence, including the shooting of Mr Ibrahim's bodyguard in 2017.
All three of his brothers have been shot in various incidents dating back to 2009.
Zrayka and Tupoulahi will return to court on October 22.
