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Raymon Youmaran will be released from jail after serving 17 years for a shooting that sparked a wave of reprisal attacks across Sydney in the 2000s.
The organised crime figure will be released on supervised parole under strict conditions when his murder sentence of 17 years and four months expires at the end of next month.
The 44-year-old was the leader of the Assyrian crime syndicate known as the “DLASTHR”, or “The Last Hour”, which was involved in a string of violent incidents that terrorised communities across western Sydney for years.
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Youmaran spent nearly four years on the run after shooting a stranger, Dimitri Debaz, at close range outside the Playhouse Hotel at Sefton in the city’s southwest in 2002.
The shooting sparked a wave of reprisal attacks, drive-by shootings, kidnappings and attempted murders as well as the formation of one of the largest police task forces in NSW history.
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A political war erupted when NSW premier Bob Carr was accused of inflaming racism by saying members of the gang should obey Australia’s laws or “ship out”.
Youmaran was finally sentenced in 2008 to 17 years and four months in prison with a non-parole period of 13 years for the fatal shooting.
He is serving total sentences of more than 20 years for murder and drug offences.
Raymon Youmaran, right, murdered Dimitri Debaz, left, in 2002, triggering a spree of gangland violence. Credit: NSW Police/ AAP
The State Parole Authority granted Youmaran parole at a public review hearing on Thursday, determining his release would be appropriate and in the interests of the safety of the community.
The board said it consulted the Serious Offenders Review Council and a corrections pre-release report, which advised parole was appropriate.
The latter noted Youmaran had completed a series of courses and had successfully participated in external release programs, including work, day and weekend leave to assist his staged reintegration into the community.
The state made no submission opposing his parole.
Youmaran is to be released on parole on September 30.
While on parole, he will continue to serve sentences for supplying large commercial quantities of a prohibited drug and taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, with the last of those sentences expiring in August 2026.
His parole conditions stipulate he must not use prohibited drugs, possess a prohibited weapon or have any contact with his co-offenders, victims or their families.
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