A man charged with the execution-style killing of Sydney lawyer Ho Ledinh at a cafe three weeks ago will remain behind bars until at least April.
Arthur Kelekolio was arrested by NSW Police at Sydney international airport as he was boarding a plane bound for Bali on Tuesday morning. He was later charged with murder.
The 38-year-old from Liverpool, in Sydney's southwest, was not required to appear during a brief mention at Central Local Court on Wednesday.
His lawyer, Adam Houda, did not apply for bail for Kelekolio and it was formally refused by magistrate Les Mabbutt.
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The matter was adjourned to April 11.
Mr Ledinh, 65, was shot three times through the back at point-blank range while sitting at a table outside Happy Cup cafe at Bankstown City Plaza on the afternoon of January 23 in front of horrified witnesses.
The father-of-five died at the scene.
CCTV footage caught the gunman - wearing a dark-coloured cap, sunglasses, a high-visibility vest and dark raincoat - running from the busy mall.
Police nabbed Kelekolio after his passport reportedly triggered an alert at the airport.
He was questioned at Mascot Police Station before being charged.
Detectives also searched a unit in Hammondville, in Sydney's southwest, seizing a number of items relevant to the investigation.
Further arrests are expected.
Following the attack, investigators said they would look into Mr Ledinh's clients - a lot of whom are involved in organised crime.
