Drug smuggler John Nikolic appeals in Fiji as wife Yvette is chased down in Australia

As Aussie drug smuggler John Nikolic gears up to appeal against his lengthy Fiji prison term, legal experts have revealed why it’s a risky move.

John Nikolic. Picture Gary Ramage

Aussie drug smuggler John Nikolic is pushing ahead with an appeal against his lengthy Fiji prison term, in a move legal experts warn could work against him.

Looking heavier than in the past and seemingly protected by prison guards who he appears to have befriended, the handcuffed former Melbourne racehorse trainer faced an appeal court in Suva on Wednesday.

Represented by legal aid lawyer Thomson Lee, at the expense of Fijian taxpayers, Nikolic is appealing his 23 year jail sentence, which carries of minimum of 18 years.

Fiji legal sources have told the Herald Sun the appeal is “doomed to failure”, as even harsher penalties for drug offences by foreigners had been handed down since Nikolic was convicted of cocaine smuggling and possessing unlicensed firearms in March 2019.

Meanwhile, the Fiji public prosecutor is proceeding with its appeal of John Nikolic’s wife’s acquittal and attempting to try her in absentia.

John Nikolic appeal case continued during the week in Fiji. Image supplied on 20 Nov 20., Photo: Kathrin Krishna

John Nikolic appeal case continued during the week in Fiji. Picture: Kathrin Krishna

Yvette Nikolic walked free from the Suva High Court in February last year and left for Australia the next day.

Fiji authorities have been, unsuccessfully, attempting to serve Ms Nikolic with Notice of Appeal papers in Australia ever since.

Public prosecutor Rajneel Kumar told the Suva Court of Appeal on Wednesday Ms Nikolic had now been sent the papers through registered mail to her home address.

The court heard Ms Nikolic would also be served with written submissions by mail shortly.

John Nikolic had decided not to proceed with original plans to appeal his conviction as well as sentence, the court was told.

Both appeal cases have been adjourned to December 23.

Thirteen bars of cocaine worth up to $30 million, drug tablets, guns and $15,000 in US $100 bills was found hidden on the Nikolics’ yacht Shenanigans when it was raided by Fiji Customs authorities at Denarau Marina on June 22, 2018.

The loved-up couple had been on what they described as “the holiday of a lifetime”, sailing through the Pacific, via Colombia and Panama, before their yacht was raided.