Court Spares Underworld Figure Tony Mokbel Extra Jail Time
Victoria's highest court has ruled that Tony Mokbel, a notorious underworld figure, will not face additional prison time for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking racket.
Re-sentencing and Legal Developments
The Court of Appeal re-sentenced Mokbel to time already served after overturning some of his other convictions, a change influenced by the fallout from the Lawyer X scandal. This re-sentencing concerned a drug operation Mokbel ran between 2006 and 2007 while he was hiding in Greece, evading Australian police.
Background on the Magnum Case
Originally sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012, Mokbel’s penalty included a 20-year term specifically for the drug trafficking operation known as "Magnum." The appellate court reduced this sentence to time served due to legal irregularities exposed through the Lawyer X scandal and the reversal of other convictions.
Current Status
- Mokbel is currently out on bail.
- He is scheduled to appear in court later this month on a separate drug case.
- Following the hearing, Mokbel shared a passionate kiss with his partner before declining to comment to the media.
"Tony Mokbel is no longer a 'serious drug offender' and will not be forced back to prison," the court declared.
This ruling marks another major legal victory for Mokbel, bringing him closer to freedom after spending over 6,500 days in custody.
Author's summary: The Court of Appeal reduced Tony Mokbel’s sentencing, ending additional jail time for a meth trafficking case and significantly advancing his bid for release after years behind bars.