AUSTRALIA - Bikie's murdered son buried at mosque

OFF THE WIRE
REBECCA PUDDY
 theaustralian.com.au
THE murdered son of bikie Vincenzo Focarelli has been buried amid a visible police presence at a mosque in Adelaide.
Reflecting the intense public interest in the escalating bikie-gang violence in South Australia in recent weeks, police and media crews yesterday surrounded the fenced Al-Khalil mosque as more than 100 family and friends gathered inside.
Police had earlier warned media and the public to be vigilant about their personal safety, with some television crews bringing private security guards for protection.
Authorities had warned of the potential for renewed violence between rival bikie gangs and had opposed the release of Mr Focarelli on bail to attend the funeral because of the risk to both him and the public.
Mr Focarelli has survived four attempts on his life and his lawyer warned he will be a "sitting duck" for his enemies in jail.
The South Australian government yesterday denied Mr Focarelli's eleventh hour request to attend his son's funeral based on the significant threat to public safety.
Street gang the New BoyZ have pledged revenge for the murder.
Mr Focarelli was yesterday transferred under secure escort from the Royal Adelaide Hospital to a high-security facility where he will remain in custody for 11 counts of breaching bail and the alleged possession of 413 grams of liquid drug butanediol, a precursor to date rape drug GHB.
Family members dressed in white and bikies clad in gold jewellery carried the shrouded body of 22-year-old Giovanni Focarelli in a procession from the mosque to his grave site, where he was buried by about 100 men in a private ceremony.
Twenty-two white doves were released at the graveside before 30 female family and friends dressed in white with their heads covered carried flowers to the grave.
Family friend and Comanchero Michael Sfyris was joined at the funeral by members of rival club the Finks, including Mr Focarelli's close friend Dylan Jessen, and members of the New BoyZ.
Despite Giovanni Focarelli 's links to Adelaide's bikie underworld, the funeral lacked the traditional send off of bikies clad in their motorcycle club colours and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, with mourners departing the funeral by car.