A Victorian man fled the country with a fake passport on the eve of his cocaine importation trial, only to be conscripted into the Turkish military.
Omer Tok, 47, was released on bail in February 2017 after being charged with conspiring to import 187kg of cocaine into Australia.
But in May 2018, two weeks before his trial was due to start, he obtained a passport under a fake name and fled to Turkey.
Instead of freedom, Tok was immediately conscripted into the Turkish military, where he was forced to abstain from the cocaine and methamphetamines he was addicted to.
After his two years of service, he spent a further three years living with his cousin before he voluntarily returned to Australia in September 2023 using a passport in his own name.
He was immediately remanded in custody on the charges of importing cocaine and dishonestly obtaining a travel document.
The drug charge was discontinued two months later following an application from his lawyers.
Tok on Tuesday instead pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to the dishonesty offence.
His barrister William Barker told the court Tok returned to Australia because he was missing his family, knowing he would likely face trial on the drug importation charges.
That was evidence of his remorse even if he never ended up facing the cocaine offences, Mr Barker said.
Tok's time in the Turkish military was like "one very long rehabilitation program" and the 47-year-old had remained clean from drugs ever since, Mr Baker said.
Tok's abstinence, the support of his family and his previously good employment history showed he had strong prospects of rehabilitation, the barrister said.
Mr Barker said a recognisance release order, or a suspended jail term, was within range for the offending.
Prosecutor Grace Krutsch argued an immediate prison sentence was required to deter others from fleeing the country while awaiting trial.
Judge Gavan Meredith noted the court didn't want to encourage other accused to abscond and then only return some time later when it suited them.
He will sentence Tok on March 26.
