Tony Mokbel, a name synonymous with high-profile crime stories, has finally stepped back into the world as a free man. At 60, Mokbel has spent nearly 20 years behind bars following his dramatic escape to Greece aboard a yacht and subsequent capture at an Athens café in 2007.

Today, with a grin that spoke volumes, Mokbel emerged from Melbourne’s Supreme Court, having successfully overturned his drug convictions. This victory comes in the wake of the Lawyer X scandal, a saga that has upended numerous legal proceedings.

When approached by the press outside the courthouse, Mokbel radiated relief and optimism. “It feels beautiful,” he shared, adding, “Life goes on now.” His plans for the future? “Going overseas, of course,” he eagerly revealed.

Reflecting on his years in confinement, Mokbel confessed, “I used to always dream of getting on a plane when I was in jail.” The prospect of traveling once again seems to hold a special allure for him. He candidly remarked, “That’s probably the biggest mistake of my life… being in jail. I don’t recommend it for anyone.”

“That would be great, to get on a nice plane. I used to always dream of getting on a plane when I was in jail,” Mokbel said.

“That’s probably the biggest mistake of my life… being in jail. I don’t recommend it for no one.”

He was asked if he planned to visit Greece and said “we’ll see how things flow”.

Mokbel was also questioned about whether he regretted drug trafficking.

“I don’t regret anything,” he replied, before he was followed by a media pack over the road to his lawyer’s office.

Appeal judges last year ordered he face a retrial over the remaining charge, which related to alleged incitement to import MDMA in 2005.

He had argued his drug convictions were tainted as he was represented by barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo, known as Lawyer X.

The Court of Appeal delivered a split decision in October 2025 on drug trafficking and importation convictions in three of his separate cases – known as Orbital, Magnum and Quills.

Mokbel was acquitted over Quills, ordered to face a retrial on Orbital but lost his appeal on the Magnum brief, the latter relating to his trafficking of 41kg methamphetamine between 2006 and 2007.

The appeal court in November sentenced him to time served – 13 years, seven months and 15 days – for the Magnum offending.

Prosecutor David Glynn announced the final Orbital charge had been discontinued in a brief hearing today.

“On behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, I filed a discontinuance in relation to the one remaining charge on the indictment against Antonios Sajih Mokbel,” he told the court.

Judicial Registrar Timothy Freeman discharged Mokbel’s bail undertaking and told him “you are welcome to leave the dock”.

A DPP spokeswoman said the director reached his decision after “careful consideration of all aspects of the matter relevant to the prospects of conviction and the public interest in a retrial”.

This included “the fact that there was no actual importation”, likely ongoing delays to any retrial and the age of the alleged offending.

She said the director also took into account the likely sentence that would be imposed on Mokbel, given his age, health and the lengthy term of imprisonment already served.

Mokbel declined to comment on whether he will be seeking compensation from the state of Victoria for his time in prison.

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