Tony Mokbel Attends Church After 18 Years in Prison

Tony Mokbel, a convicted crime lord, has been enjoying his first days of freedom after 18 years in custody, attending church and shopping in Melbourne. He received a warm welcome from parishioners at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, where he was embraced and greeted like a celebrity. Mokbel's release follows a corruption scandal involving his former lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, who acted as a police informant, prompting a royal commission. If successful in his appeal, Mokbel could pursue compensation from the government for wrongful convictions and property confiscation. Criminologist Xanthie Mallett noted that the severity of corruption in Mokbel's case warranted his recent release, suggesting he is reintegrating into society. Media coverage has closely followed Mokbel's movements, including visits to the grave of his mother shortly after his release.