Car fires probed after botched Sydney kidnapping as Burke defends passport rules

Police are seeking information about two suspicious vehicle fires on Good Street, Westmead, that may be linked to the botched abduction of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian, who was taken more than a week ago when three men stormed his Sydney home and bundled him into an SUV.

Detectives said the cars were partly destroyed and identified a targeted 2022 Toyota Corolla, registration 1UZ2BU, reported stolen from a Victorian address on 13 January. Officers also searched a derelict property in Dural after identifying it as a makeshift stronghold for the kidnappers, and investigators believe the Corolla is linked to that scene.

Tony Burke criticised comments by Pauline Hanson about Muslims in his electorate, saying the Lakemba community showed hospitality when she visited and that normalising bigotry raises national security risks. He warned against actions that make it harder for agencies to protect the public, noting that normalisation of prejudice can increase the likelihood of violence.

Australia, Sydney

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