Tony Mokbel Granted Bail After 18 Years in Custody
The notorious Australian crime figure is set for release as he appeals his drug trafficking convictions.
Tony Mokbel, a high-profile figure in Australia's criminal underworld, has been granted bail after spending nearly two decades in prison.
The decision was made by a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal in Melbourne, which ruled on the application he submitted earlier this week as he seeks to overturn his remaining drug trafficking convictions related to his drug empire, known as "The Company."
At 59 years old, Mokbel appeared in court from a police BearCat armoured vehicle, surrounded by a significant police presence.
Upon arriving, he greeted his legal team and appeared optimistic about the outcome of the bail hearing.
The court's president, Justice Karin Emerton, recognized that Mokbel had demonstrated "truly exceptional" circumstances warranting his release, further indicating that he has a compelling case for having his convictions quashed.
Mokbel's legal battles began following his arrest in Greece in 2007, where he had evaded capture by escaping aboard a yacht.
His bail at the time was secured by a $1 million surety provided by his sister-in-law, Renate.
Since then, Mokbel has been incarcerated for 18 years.
He is currently expected to live with his sister, Gawy Saad, at her home in Viewbank, a suburb of Melbourne, under conditions yet to be finalized by the court.
The terms of Mokbel's bail will include strict conditions such as GPS monitoring, a curfew, and daily reporting to police.
He has also committed to remaining within the state of Victoria while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
Gawy Saad has pledged to notify authorities should Mokbel breach any of the imposed conditions.
During the proceedings, Mokbel's barrister, Julie Condon KC, highlighted several factors that contributed to the decision for bail, including the prolonged delays in the appeal process, the strength of Mokbel's case, his deteriorating health, and his established ties to the community through family and relationships.
Mokbel, once a prominent leader in a billion-dollar drug trafficking network, pleaded guilty to his charges, which prominently featured during a trial that involved the controversial actions of his former lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, who had been secretly working with law enforcement.
He is scheduled for a parole eligibility review in June 2031, with the appeal regarding his drug trafficking convictions expected to be heard later this year.
The decision was made by a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal in Melbourne, which ruled on the application he submitted earlier this week as he seeks to overturn his remaining drug trafficking convictions related to his drug empire, known as "The Company."
At 59 years old, Mokbel appeared in court from a police BearCat armoured vehicle, surrounded by a significant police presence.
Upon arriving, he greeted his legal team and appeared optimistic about the outcome of the bail hearing.
The court's president, Justice Karin Emerton, recognized that Mokbel had demonstrated "truly exceptional" circumstances warranting his release, further indicating that he has a compelling case for having his convictions quashed.
Mokbel's legal battles began following his arrest in Greece in 2007, where he had evaded capture by escaping aboard a yacht.
His bail at the time was secured by a $1 million surety provided by his sister-in-law, Renate.
Since then, Mokbel has been incarcerated for 18 years.
He is currently expected to live with his sister, Gawy Saad, at her home in Viewbank, a suburb of Melbourne, under conditions yet to be finalized by the court.
The terms of Mokbel's bail will include strict conditions such as GPS monitoring, a curfew, and daily reporting to police.
He has also committed to remaining within the state of Victoria while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
Gawy Saad has pledged to notify authorities should Mokbel breach any of the imposed conditions.
During the proceedings, Mokbel's barrister, Julie Condon KC, highlighted several factors that contributed to the decision for bail, including the prolonged delays in the appeal process, the strength of Mokbel's case, his deteriorating health, and his established ties to the community through family and relationships.
Mokbel, once a prominent leader in a billion-dollar drug trafficking network, pleaded guilty to his charges, which prominently featured during a trial that involved the controversial actions of his former lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, who had been secretly working with law enforcement.
He is scheduled for a parole eligibility review in June 2031, with the appeal regarding his drug trafficking convictions expected to be heard later this year.
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