ID :
9930
Fri, 06/13/2008 - 10:18
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https://oananews.org//node/9930
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Sixth person charged over Mokbel escape
(AAP) - A sixth person has been charged over the alleged plot to help Tony Mokbel escape during his drug smuggling trial in 2006.
A 51-year-old Lakes Entrance man was charged following an interview at the St Kilda Road police complex, police said on Thursday.
The man will face an out-of-sessions hearing at St Kilda Road on one charge each of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, perverting the course of justice and
accessary after the fact to cocaine importation.
Mokbel absconded while on trial on drug charges in March 2006 and was arrested in a
cafe in Athens on June 5, 2007.
The alleged escape plot involved a luxury yacht, illicit money transfers and the use
of a rural hideaway in a bid to smuggle Mokbel out of Australia, according to
police.
He was recaptured in suburban Athens in June last year and was extradited to
Melbourne on May 17 following a lengthy legal battle.
Five people already have been charged over the alleged escape plot.
Yvonne Warfe, 34, of Burnside, has been charged with perverting the course of
justice, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and impeding the prosecution of
a person.
She was bailed to reappear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 25 for a
committal mention hearing.
Bassillios Byron Pantazis, 63, and Angela Nissirios, 46, appeared in the same court
on charges including perverting the course of justice by assisting Mokbel to flee,
and dealing in property known to be the proceeds of crime.
Both were remanded in custody to reappear in September.
Two brothers, aged 39 and 43, have also been charged with perverting the course of
justice, conspiracy to pervert and being accessaries after the fact.
They are already in custody on an unrelated matter and will appear before a court at
a later date.
Police said in an affidavit presented to the Victorian Supreme Court that Mokbel and
his alleged accomplices spent as much as $1 million on an elaborate escape plan,
including the purchase of a $350,000, 17-metre yacht and its refit for a sea voyage
to Greece.
Mokbel's partner, Danielle McGuire, flew into Melbourne from Greece early Thursday.
A 51-year-old Lakes Entrance man was charged following an interview at the St Kilda Road police complex, police said on Thursday.
The man will face an out-of-sessions hearing at St Kilda Road on one charge each of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, perverting the course of justice and
accessary after the fact to cocaine importation.
Mokbel absconded while on trial on drug charges in March 2006 and was arrested in a
cafe in Athens on June 5, 2007.
The alleged escape plot involved a luxury yacht, illicit money transfers and the use
of a rural hideaway in a bid to smuggle Mokbel out of Australia, according to
police.
He was recaptured in suburban Athens in June last year and was extradited to
Melbourne on May 17 following a lengthy legal battle.
Five people already have been charged over the alleged escape plot.
Yvonne Warfe, 34, of Burnside, has been charged with perverting the course of
justice, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and impeding the prosecution of
a person.
She was bailed to reappear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on September 25 for a
committal mention hearing.
Bassillios Byron Pantazis, 63, and Angela Nissirios, 46, appeared in the same court
on charges including perverting the course of justice by assisting Mokbel to flee,
and dealing in property known to be the proceeds of crime.
Both were remanded in custody to reappear in September.
Two brothers, aged 39 and 43, have also been charged with perverting the course of
justice, conspiracy to pervert and being accessaries after the fact.
They are already in custody on an unrelated matter and will appear before a court at
a later date.
Police said in an affidavit presented to the Victorian Supreme Court that Mokbel and
his alleged accomplices spent as much as $1 million on an elaborate escape plan,
including the purchase of a $350,000, 17-metre yacht and its refit for a sea voyage
to Greece.
Mokbel's partner, Danielle McGuire, flew into Melbourne from Greece early Thursday.
