Tony Mokbel moved into prison isolation over fears he is a target
Drug boss Tony Mokbel, recovering from a bashing and stabbing, has been isolated from all other inmates at Barwon Prison, amid new fears for his safety.
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Drug boss Tony Mokbel is living under the highest level of prison protection, amid fresh fears he is a jail target.
Mokbel — making a long recovery from a horrendous bashing and stabbing in February — has been shifted into isolation at Barwon Prison, near Geelong.
The reasons for the security alarm cannot be reported because of legal restrictions.
Mokbel was in a mainstream section of the prison when he was attacked, and only returned to Barwon after a long stint of medical care in the secure ward at St Vincent’s Hospital.
He was shifted into the high-security Melaleuca unit some time after his return.
He was under a restrictive regime while housed with a small group of inmates.
Among those Mokbel had in his unit was Italian organised crime figure Pat Barbaro and a notorious gangland triggerman.
Although Barbaro and Mokbel have previously been in mainstream units together, Barbaro was prohibited from having any contact with Mokbel although there is no known animosity between them. Insiders say that to communicate, they would bang on the walls before shouting to hear one another.
Mokbel has since been isolated from all other inmates, which insiders say has distressed him.
“Mokbel would prefer to not be in isolation and be in a more social environment for his own health,’’ a source said.
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Mokbel and Barbaro, who are both closely monitoring the Lawyer X royal commission, used barrister turned informer Nicola Gobbo to fight their legal cases.
Two 21-year-old Barwon prisoners, Teira Bennett and Eldea Teuira, have faced charges over the bashing of Mokbel. Last week they pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence and recklessly causing injury. They had initially been charged with attempted murder.
Mokbel suffered three chest wounds, a brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull.