In a surprising development, Lesedi Molapisi, a woman from Botswana, has been sentenced to death in Bangladesh for attempting to smuggle 3kg of heroin into the country.
The severity of the punishment underscores Bangladesh’s stringent zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking.
Judge Md. Aminul Islam pronounced the verdict on May 27th, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime.
This case also highlighted the differing outcomes for Molapisi and her accomplice, Mahibul Islam Masood, a Bangladeshi national who was acquitted.
Molapisi was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in January 2022 after authorities found the illegal drugs hidden in her luggage upon her arrival from South Africa via Qatar Airways. Her presence coincided with heightened security measures due to suspicions of drug smuggling.
According to sources close to the case, Molapisi has the right to appeal her death sentence.
However, the chances of a successful appeal appear slim, suggesting she could face an extended period on death row.
This aspect of the case has raised ethical and legal concerns about the fairness and efficacy of the judicial process in such situations, prompting further scrutiny of the proceedings and potential avenues for legal recourse.
