Salim Mehajer breaks silence after walking from prison
Mehajer exited the gates of John Morony Correctional Centre at Berkshire Park in northwestern Sydney just after 9:30am and into a black Mercedes hire car, giving him his first taste of freedom in almost five years.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday morning, Mehajer said he wanted to 'formally convey his deep gratitude' for the opportunity granted to him by the State Parole Authority.
'I am fully committed to fulfilling the expectations placed before me,' he wrote.
'Additionally, I express my sincere appreciation for the unwavering support of my family and friends, as well as the dedication of my legal representative, who has consistently stood by me throughout this journey.'
Mehajer added that he requests privacy, ahead of his appeal scheduled for three weeks time.
Meanwhile, the former politician's first stops after freedom on Friday were to Parramatta Westfield, Service NSW for a new drivers' licence and to a cosmetic dentist in Hornsby to fix his smile after years behind bars, the Daily Mail reported.
Hornsby Dental offers teeth whitening from $549, composite veneers starting at $700 and full mouth implants starting at $24,990 per arch.
He did not stop to speak to waiting media as he left custody, but his lawyer, Zawat Zreika of Zreika Law, told NewsWire the former Auburn Mayor's concern was primarily for his family.
'Mr Mehajer has now been released from custody,' she said.
'This is a long awaited and deeply personal moment for him and his family.
'He asks that their privacy be respected during this time.'
The 39-year-old former Auburn deputy mayor was released after the expiry of a non-parole period he was serving for domestic violence and fraud offences.
He has been in prison just short of five years and has served back-to-back sentences for multiple offences.
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