Police appeal over Potts Point killing of gay man
SYDNEY: Police are appealing for information from the public as they continue their investigations into the possible hate crime killing of a young gay man discovered in his burnt Potts Point unit over the weekend.
The body of Ahmed Ghoniem, 27, was found inside his fourth-floor Greenknowe Avenue apartment after a fire broke out just before 1.40pm on Saturday, September 29.
Ghoniem (pictured) was treated by paramedics at the scene but died after arriving at St Vincent’s Hospital.
Homicide detectives from Strike Force Lourde quickly took over the investigation after an initial examination of his body revealed a number of serious injuries unrelated to the fire.
A post-mortem is being carried out but police today would not confirm media reports the victim was stabbed up to twenty times.
Police have said Ghoniem, an Egyptian national, moved to Sydney about three years ago and had strong ties with the city’s gay and lesbian community.
Detective Inspector Angelo Memmolo said though inspectors were keeping an open mind it was possible that Ghoniem was the victim of a gay hate crime.
“We’re certainly following those lines of inquiry, looking at his background and appealing for people who may know him to come forward,” Detective Inspector Memmolo told SX today.
“Even if people feel the information they have is only minor or may not be important please let police know.”
Memmolo told SX it was believed Ghoniem was a regular visitor to the nightclubs and bars in and around Oxford Street.
Police are currently looking for signs of possible forced entry to the unit and are searching through hours of CCTV footage from the building’s cameras.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Kings Cross Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
- Tags: Ahmed Ghoniem, Angelo Memmolo, Arson, Australia, Crime, Death, Egypt, Fire, Gay, Hate Crime, Killing, Kings Cross, Kings Cross Police, Law, LGBTI Community, Murder, NSW Police, Oxford Street, Potts Point, SX, Sydney
Comments (3)
Am I not getting something here? We have just all endured the tragic and horrible case of Jill Meagher's rape and murder, which derservedly attracted incredible media attention and an outpouring of emotion from the people of Melbourne. People protested in the streets because what happened is not acceptable. Yet a young gay man suffers an equally horrible fate and there has been practically no media coverage and seemingly no general moral outrage that such a thing should happen to a gay brother in this city.... Can someone please fill me in?
Probably because Ahmed didn't work for a media organisation like Jill did - that's the only reason Jill's disappearance got the coverage it did. People go missing every day without the media doing anything about it.
Another tragic murder of a same-sex attracted Australian. I feel gutted for his family and friends.
With the LNP Vatican Commandos giving the Gay Panic Review to Fred Vile, I have little faith in the justice system we have. When their are hate speeches such as from the Christian Lobby and those from Team Abbott, even demolishing our families let alone calling us worse then cancer, I think it creates a certain type of toxic hate amongst the nutjobs.