4 weeks ago
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February 2, 2026 — 12:40pm
The elaborate tombstone of murdered underworld figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim has been destroyed in an attack on Sunday night.
The nearly six-foot marble tribute featuring photos of the late 32-year-old boxer and a gold-embossed silhouette of him with fists raised has been shattered into fragments.
The grave itself appears undisturbed.
The attack comes just four days after the first anniversary of Abdulrahim’s murder, when he was gunned down in front of his girlfriend in a meticulous execution in an underground hotel car park in Preston.
Before his death, Abdulrahim, a wannabe player in the illicit tobacco trade, had become the most hunted figure in Melbourne’s underworld, with a $1 million bounty on his head.
The prime suspect for ordering the murder of “Suna”, as he was known to friends and associates, is exiled gangland boss Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad.
Hamad was arrested in Iraq last month after an intelligence dossier prepared by Australian law enforcement was handed over to Iraqi justice authorities.
Although specifics of the allegations against him have not been made public by Iraqi authorities, they accuse Hamad of importing large quantities of drugs into Iraq and Australia, smuggling heroin, and being involved in shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults and extortion.
“The accused is one of the most dangerous, wanted men in the world,” a statement by Iraq’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation released after Hamad’s arrest read.
An underworld source speaking on the condition of anonymity said the desecration was likely a message from Hamad’s associates to rivals that they remain in business despite the 41-year-old’s arrest.
The headstone appeared to be covered in black plastic on Monday, as several people gathered at the grave site.
Victoria Police detectives are investigating the incident.
The Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, which manages Northern Memorial Park, said Abdulrahim’s family and police had attended the grave site to assess the damage, of which cemetery staff were first notified early on Monday morning.
“We can assure all families that we have several security measures in place at our sites, which align with Victoria Police advice. This includes but is not limited to physical security, CCTV and patrols,” a spokesperson said.
It remains unclear who is responsible for destroying the Punisher’s grave, although Hamad has a history of punishing his enemies even in death.
The body of Meshilin “Mesh” Marrogi, sister and partner-in-crime of jailed gangland boss George Marrogi, was nearly stolen in July 2023 as part of a revenge plot attributed to Hamad.
The plan was to steal her corpse and then have it mutilated on video, which would be sent to Marrogi inside prison.
It never eventuated because of a broken elevator inside the Preston Cemetery mausoleum, which meant the casket was too heavy to move by hand.
The casket was broken open, and an expensive diamond ring was removed.
No one has ever been arrested for the crime.
Meshilin’s mausoleum remained untouched on Monday.
Anyone with information about the attack on Abdulrahim’s grave is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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