The convicted drug kingpin Tony Mokbel remains in a critical condition two days after being repeatedly stabbed by two fellow inmates at Victoria’s maximum-security Barwon prison.
Two 21-year-old men have been charged over Monday’s attack on the 53-year-old and another prisoner who went to his aid. On Wednesday morning a hospital spokeswoman confirmed that Mokbel remained critical.
Police and prison authorities are investigating what sparked the attack, which occurred a day after a newspaper reported that Mokbel had intervened in a standover scheme and extortion racket run by Pacific Islander inmates.
The two men have been charged with attempted murder, intentionally causing serious injury and causing serious injury intentionally in circumstances of gross violence. They will face a filing hearing in Geelong magistrates court on Friday.
The second victim, aged 31, is back in Barwon after spending Monday night in Geelong hospital.
Victoria’s corrections commissioner, Emma Cassar, said it was too early to say what had prompted the attack, including whether there was a “power play” within the jail.
The majority of Barwon prison remained in lockdown on Tuesday, before normal evening and overnight restrictions kicked in.
Cassar said the lockdown was necessary while authorities investigated the attack and whether any reprisals were likely.