Botswana, Amnesty International appeal her sentence
Lesedi Molapisi, a middle-aged woman from Ramotswa, who was arrested two years ago at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for smuggling three kilograms of heroin, has now been sentenced to death.
The distressing news was announced by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi during a press briefing on Wednesday before his departure for a business trip to Las Vegas, United States.
Breaking the news, Masisi said: “I had to travel quite reluctantly but I am travelling. But just as a prelude to what I am going to say about my travel, it is to acknowledge that I have just been informed that our compatriot, a citizen
of Botswana who is incarcerated in Bangladesh, has her sentence delivered.
“She is being given the ultimate sentence of terminating her life because of the charges that have been put against her and the process she has been through."
He added that as President, citizen, a father and human being, he feels sorry and wished it had not come to this.
"Because we are deep respecters of the law even in other countries, we will do everything we can within the law to try and save her life. What is left is an appeal, so we will facilitate, provide counselling and support to the family”.
The President said Botswana will also provide “some financial support to enable the final appeal”, which is being led by the International human rights organisation, Amnesty International.
“I ask Batswana to join in the payers for her," President Masisi appealed. Masisi further told the press that Botswana have also expressed the same sentiments as those prevailing in Bangladesh regarding the death penalty in the Constitutional review consultations.
"There are some very strong feelings about involvement in the drug trafficking or drug trade. With that said I just wanted you to know that I am leaving on a sombre note that a citizen of ours in a faraway land got into trouble and is faced with the very harsh possibility of paying the ultimate prize."
The distressing news was announced by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi during a press briefing on Wednesday before his departure for a business trip to Las Vegas, United States.
Breaking the news, Masisi said: “I had to travel quite reluctantly but I am travelling. But just as a prelude to what I am going to say about my travel, it is to acknowledge that I have just been informed that our compatriot, a citizen
of Botswana who is incarcerated in Bangladesh, has her sentence delivered.
“She is being given the ultimate sentence of terminating her life because of the charges that have been put against her and the process she has been through."
He added that as President, citizen, a father and human being, he feels sorry and wished it had not come to this.
"Because we are deep respecters of the law even in other countries, we will do everything we can within the law to try and save her life. What is left is an appeal, so we will facilitate, provide counselling and support to the family”.
The President said Botswana will also provide “some financial support to enable the final appeal”, which is being led by the International human rights organisation, Amnesty International.
“I ask Batswana to join in the payers for her," President Masisi appealed. Masisi further told the press that Botswana have also expressed the same sentiments as those prevailing in Bangladesh regarding the death penalty in the Constitutional review consultations.
"There are some very strong feelings about involvement in the drug trafficking or drug trade. With that said I just wanted you to know that I am leaving on a sombre note that a citizen of ours in a faraway land got into trouble and is faced with the very harsh possibility of paying the ultimate prize."
