Court Spares Underworld Figure Tony Mokbel Extra Jail Time
Victoria's highest court has ruled that Tony Mokbel, an underworld figure, will not face additional prison time related to a methamphetamine trafficking racket.
Re-sentencing and Legal Developments
The Court of Appeal re-sentenced Mokbel to time already served after overturning other convictions linked to the Lawyer X scandal. The drug scheme, known as "Magnum," involved activities between 2006 and 2007, during which Mokbel was in hiding in Greece, evading Australian police.
“Tony Mokbel is no longer a ‘serious drug offender’ and will not be forced back to prison over the methamphetamine trafficking racket.”
Background and Current Status
- Originally sentenced in 2012 to 30 years behind bars.
- Included a 20-year sentence for the "Magnum" drug operation.
- The Court of Appeal reduced this sentence to time served due to the Lawyer X scandal and overturned convictions.
- Mokbel is currently out on bail and faces court again later this month on a separate drug case.
At the conclusion of Thursday's hearing, Mokbel shared a passionate kiss with his partner and left the court, declining to comment to the media.
“It is another significant legal win for Mokbel, who is a step closer to total freedom after spending more than 6,500 days in custody.”
Author's summary: After more than 6,500 days in custody, Victoria's highest court has significantly reduced Tony Mokbel's sentence, reclassifying him away from a serious drug offender and sparing him extra jail time.