Bangladesh Sentences Botswana Woman to Death for Drug Trafficking
Bangladesh has sentenced Botswana woman, Lesedi Molapisi, to death for drug trafficking.
30-year old Lesedi Molapisi was caught in possession of drugs at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh.
She was arrested for drug trafficking sometime in 2022 when found in possession of over 3.145kg of heroin while on a Qatar Airways flight from South Africa via Doha, Qatar.
The Asian country places death penalty on any one found selling or in possession of drugs.
Molapisi was tried and sentenced at a Dhaka court in the capital city.
While reacting to the report, the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, said his country would appeal the death sentence, although he admitted his country had reservations about citizens found wanting in drug peddling.
Masisi addressed the media before departure to Las Vegas, the United States for the JCK Diamond Show where he would meet with other world leaders, diamond buyers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and entrepreneurs for various jewelry brands.
“I leave on a sombre note knowing that a Motswana far away is facing hardship,” Masisi said.
“What is left is an appeal. We will facilitate and provide counselling to the family. Provide some sort of financial support to enable the final appeal, as is led by the international human rights agency, Amnesty International,” said Masisi.
He further stated: “I must also remind you that even in our own consultation of the constitutional review, Batswana expressed a similar view to the country where she is being sentenced. There are some strong sentiments out there about involvement in the drug trade.”
The JCK Diamond Show welcomes more than 17,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors drawn from more than 130 countries worldwide.
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