Tony Mokbel bail application: Court to decide if notorious gangland figure can be freed on bail

Tony Mokbel has arrived at Victoria’s Court of Appeal in an armoured BearCat, with the notorious gangland figure fighting to taste his first day of freedom in 18 years. Here’s how his bail application will play out and what might happen next.

Tony Mokbel could on Friday experience his first taste of freedom in 18 years, with a court to decide if he should be granted bail.

The notorious gangland figure arrived at the Court of Appeal in a heavily armoured BearCat just after 9am. Police and protective services officers lined the footpath as the vehicle was driven into the court’s laneway.

Mokbel, 59, made a bold bid for bail in Victoria’s Court of Appeal on Tuesday, ahead of his upcoming appeal against his drug convictions over the Lawyer X scandal.

Mokbel will appear before Justices Karin Emerton, Robert Osborn and Jane Dixon, who will hand down their decision at 10am.

The BearCat truck carrying Mokbel arrives at the Supreme Court. Picture: Diego Fedele,

Police stand guard at the court gates as Mokbel is led into court. Picture: Diego Fedele,

Mokbel is driven from Barwon Prison. Picture: David Crosling

If he wins bail, Mokbel is set to live Viewbank. Picture: David Crosling

The armoured BearCat leaving Barwon Prison. Picture: David Crosling

The BearCat on its way to court from Barwon Prison. Picture: Ch7

Mokbel’s BearCat was met by a large media pack waiting outside the court for his arrival from the maximum-security Barwon Prison.

A news helicopter circled above, while curious onlookers watched on from the street.

On Tuesday, Mokbel’s lawyer Julie Condon KC said that her client’s poor physical health and the conditions he faced in custody, along with the strength of his appeal, which is plagued by significant delays, should be enough to see him set free.

Mokbel’s lawyer Julie Condon KC. Picture: Ian Currie

The BearCat outside Supreme Court for a hearing on Tuesday. Picture: Ian Currie

If freed, he will live in a Viewbank unit, northeast of Melbourne, with his sister Gawy Saad.

Ms Saad offered a $500,000 surety which was upped to $850,000 to secure her brother’s release.

Strict conditions would also be imposed including electronic monitoring, a curfew and daily reporting to Heidelberg police station.

Mokbel, who has been in custody since 2007, famously skipped bail while on trial for drug trafficking in 2006.

He fled on a yacht to Greece where he was arrested the next year following an international manhunt.

Mokbel in Athens in 2007 before he was extradited back to Australia. Picture: AFP

A court sketch of Mokbel at his bail application this week.

One of his convictions has already been quashed because his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was used by police as a snitch against him.

His appeal against his other convictions, known as Quills, Orbital and Magnum, is expected later this year.

Mokbel is serving a 26-year sentence and is eligible for parole in 2031.

Originally published as Tony Mokbel bail application: Court to decide if notorious gangland figure can be freed on bail