Court spares underworld figure Tony Mokbel extra jail time
Victoria's Court of Appeal has ruled that Tony Mokbel will not receive additional prison time related to a past methamphetamine trafficking case. The decision marks another legal victory for the underworld figure.
Details of the ruling
The court re-sentenced Mokbel to time already served, following the overturning of several convictions linked to the Lawyer X scandal. The judges determined that Mokbel is no longer classified as a "serious drug offender".
“Tony Mokbel will not return to prison over the methamphetamine trafficking scheme.”
Background of the case
The trafficking case, known as "Magnum", involved Mokbel's operations between 2006 and 2007 while he was hiding in Greece and evading Australian authorities. Originally, he received a 20-year sentence for this offense as part of a 30-year total term in 2012.
As a result of the appeal decision, this portion of his sentence has now been reduced to time served, acknowledging the legal irregularities uncovered by the Lawyer X controversy.
Aftermath
Following the hearing, Mokbel kissed his partner before leaving the court and chose not to speak to reporters. He remains free on bail and is expected to appear in court again later this month regarding a separate drug allegation.
Author’s Summary
The Court of Appeal’s decision removes Tony Mokbel’s “serious drug offender” status, freeing him from further jail time in the methamphetamine case tied to the Lawyer X scandal.