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Firebombed friendlyjordies still receiving death threats

It’s been three years since the home of ABC anchor Jordan Shanks (aka friendly jordies) was firebombed Four Corners The reporter allegedly made a death threat against the YouTuber.

ABC journalist and former bikie gang member Mahmud FazalHe allegedly sent the following text to the podcast’s co-host and former gang associate: Ryan Naumenko:

“Damn Jordies and his men are dogs, I want to kill him so bad.”

It was on October 2nd. But not only is the ABC journalist not being investigated by his employer over the alleged threat, Fazal is still working for the national broadcaster.

SMHKate McClymont reported Naumenko said on YouTube:

‘…He said Fazal requested payment in cash and did not tell his employer, ABC, that he had been paid. Naumenko later determined that the money funding the podcast came from online gambling firm Vegastars.


…However, Naumenko said he would not cooperate with ABC’s investigation into what he described as Fazal’s “side hustle”.’

ABC management said it was investigating allegations that Fazal received payment for a podcast he co-hosted with Naumenko.

One expression provided Media MonitoringAn ABC spokesperson is concerned about the unauthorized fee Fazal may or may not have received for the podcast:

‘Mahmood’s first manager approved him to participate in a podcast interview based on the information given to him. The interview did not receive final approval from ABC as part of external study guidelines. After the interview, which also included gambling advertisements, was broadcast, his manager withdrew approval of the job. ABC management is investigating this matter thoroughly.’

Interestingly, there is no mention of the alleged death threats or criminal connections.

Fazal has since accused the podcast’s co-host, Naumenko, of faking text messages containing death threats.

In 2022, Shanks’ home was deliberately bombed following a friendly Jordies video in which he discussed the Alameddine crime network.

This was the second arson attempt against Shanks, with a previous attack mistakenly targeting his next-door neighbour. NSW Police investigated both firebombs.

Only one of the men He was jailed for an arson attack after Shanks’ home was deliberately firebombed in November 2022. Police claimed Tauese-Auelua was an associate of the Alameddine crime family and was searching around the house before setting it on fire.

Tufi Junior Tauese-Auelua, expressed his regret At the time of his sentencing, no further details have yet come to light about the others involved, who ordered the arson attack, or why. No reasoning or other information was detailed in court about the circumstances behind Tauese-Auelua’s involvement.

prosecutors fell The case was filed against a second man, Andre Stepanyan, who was charged in connection with the 2022 arson attack due to insufficient evidence.

It was also alleged that Fazal sent threats to Shanks and fellow Jordies’ producer Kristo Langker, demanding that the video be removed from the internet in 2024.

In his statement to NSW Police at the time, Langker said Fazal told him:

“These people are killing people. If you don’t remove the video, bad things will happen…”
Jordan has already been firebombed, what more could it take to remove the video?

The ABC reporter did not make any statement to the police and no action was taken by the police against Fazal for the alleged threats.

Shanks released a video titled. ‘They tried to kill me’The day before the alleged exchange of messages between Fazal and Naumenko in which he said about the police investigation:

“When confronted with a wealth of new evidence about the firebombing – which was more than enough to charge at least a few people – what did the New South Wales police do? As far as I know, they did nothing.”

Meanwhile, Jordan Shanks is still receiving death threats.

Shanks’ lawyer Mark Davis told IA.:

“Since the bombing, Jordan has been on high alert because he did not stop with the bombing. Very clear death threats have been made to him and his producers about what would happen if the video was not released.”

Davis added:

“The man who forwarded the threats works for 4 Corners. He says he was just forwarding the messages. He deserves a full investigation by the ABC – not just whether he received podcast money outside of his contract.”

What does it say about our public broadcaster that those in charge are more concerned about unauthorized payments for a podcast than about an employee threatening to kill another journalist?

What does it say about our legal institutions that seem unable or unwilling to bring criminals to justice?

What overall message does it send to criminals?

Mark Davis said about Shanks:

“Jordan continues to perform and perform; he is incredibly conscientious. But this has affected his mood and his ability to earn a living.”

Follow managing editor Michelle Pini at Bluesky @michellepini.bsky.social and Independent Australia on Bluesky @independentaus.bsky.socialX/Twitter @independentaus and Facebook HERE.

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