A former Service NSW employee has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of Peter Vuong in Sydney. This incident, which occurred last month, involved armed men abducting Mr. Vuong from his Smithfield home on March 9 and subsequently subjecting him to six days of torture in a Belmore house. Here are the details of the arrest and the charges against the accused.
The Arrest of Sira Elkheir
Sira Elkheir, aged 21, was apprehended in a Greenacre car park on a Wednesday morning. She stands accused of playing a role in the events surrounding Mr. Vuong’s ordeal. Peter Vuong was eventually rescued when tactical officers stormed the property on March 14. Ms. Elkheir’s arrest was part of an ongoing investigation conducted under Strike Force Kkuoa.
Charges Against Sira Elkheir
Sira Elkheir faces multiple charges related to her alleged involvement in the criminal activities surrounding Peter Vuong’s kidnapping. These charges include:
- Participation in a Criminal Group
- Accessing and Modifying Restricted Data
- Unauthorized Function with Intent to Commit a Serious Offense
- Detaining in Company with the Intent to Ransom, Resulting in Actual Bodily Harm
Accessing Personal Data
The court heard that on February 20, Ms. Elkheir allegedly used her work computer to access the personal details of Mr. Vuong’s father, who owned a car driven by Peter Vuong. She also accessed information related to Tran Dinh, whose wife was friends with the victim’s family. It’s important to note that Mr. Vuong and Mr. Trinh are not accused of any wrongdoing.
Alleged Kidnapping Sequence
In early March, it was revealed in court that Mr. Vuong was followed to his driveway and assaulted, resulting in a broken eye socket. The alleged kidnapping took place after 11 hours, during which Ms. Elkheir allegedly accessed driver’s license photographs of Mr. Dinh’s wife. The kidnappers, during their ransom demands, sent Mr. Dinh and his wife the driver’s license photographs.
Bail and Defense Argument
During the bail hearing, Sira Elkheir’s defense argued that the Crown’s case against her was weak. They contended that she was not in the company of the alleged kidnappers and had accessed the information as a favor without considering its potential use. Her good character and prior strength were also emphasized in her defense.
Bail Granted
Magistrate Elaine Truscott, after considering the evidence, granted bail to Sira Elkheir. She noted that there was no evidence of criminal associations on her part and acknowledged her strong family connections. Furthermore, there was no evidence that Ms. Elkheir had knowledge of the alleged kidnapping or intended for it to occur. As part of her bail conditions, she is required to report to the police and reside at her Yagoona home. Her case has been adjourned until June.
Ongoing Investigation
Six men, aged 19-21, were previously charged in connection with the case, facing charges such as aggravated break and enter, grievous bodily harm, and detainment with the intent to ransom. The investigation continues as these individuals remain before the courts.
