Overview
- Fridman is charged with extortion- and blackmail-related offences and a drug-possession charge after police arrested him at his Caulfield North home.
- Police allege he enlisted an overseas enforcer called “Mr International” to pressure former partners Ash Boyd and Nigel Givoni for payments of up to $20 million and $250,000.
- Threats sent via WhatsApp referenced shootings, kidnappings and burning homes, and Boyd’s Glen Iris house was firebombed with Molotov cocktails in mid-March; no injuries were reported.
- Bail conditions include surrendering his passport and electronic devices, having no contact with specified individuals, and a $225,000 surety posted by his mother; the next court date is June 9.
- Investigators say they have not established a direct link between Fridman and the unidentified enforcers, and they reported finding ChatGPT queries about selling debt and potential violence on his devices, as well as seizing suspected cocaine.