Mokbel associates lose appeals

July 30th, 2012

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

Six associates of Tony Mokbel who were either involved in his drug operation or helped him flee to Greece have lost appeals against their sentences.

All six men argued their sentences were manifestly excessive.

They argued that despite pleading guilty to, or being found guilty, of state offences in Victoria, the sentencing judge was required to take into account less punitive commonwealth offences which could have applied to them.

George Elias, Chafic Issa and Bassillios Pantazis pleaded guilty and were sentenced in the Victorian Supreme Court for attempting to pervert the course of justice by helping Mokbel flee the country as he faced a drugs trial in Melbourne.

They helped modify an ocean-going yacht and organised Mokbel’s voyage to Greece in November 2006.

Mitat Rasimi, David Tricarico and Wayne Finn were convicted and sentenced for drug-related offences.

In the Court of Appeal on Monday, Chief Justice Marilyn Warren and Justices Robert Redlich, Hartley Hansen, Robert Osborn and Elizabeth Curtain dismissed the men’s appeals.

Mokbel was arrested in Athens on June 5, 2007.

Earlier this month he was jailed for a maximum of 30 years after pleading guilty to two trafficking charges and one of urging an undercover officer to import ecstasy into Australia.

Pantazis is serving a minimum six years’ jail for his role in Mokbel’s escape.

Elias is serving 11 years while Issa is serving 12-and-a-half years for drugs charges as well as their involvement in helping Mokbel flee.

Rasimi and Tricarico have been sentenced to five years’ jail for drug trafficking charges while Finn is serving three years for drug possession.