Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has pledged support towards Lesedi Molapisi who has been sentenced to death in Bangladesh for drug possession.
Molapisi was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh on January 23, 2022, in possession of 3.145 kg of heroin.
Briefing the media yesterday before his departure to attend the JCK Diamond Show in the USA, President Masisi expressed sympathy to Molapisi.
“I leave on a somber note, I have just been informed that a compatriot, a citizen of Botswana incarcerated in Bangladesh, her sentence had been delivered; a symbolic sentence as she has been given the ultimate sentence that of termination of life,”he said.
The President noted that as a citizen of this nation and a father, he felt sorry and wished it had not come to that extend.
He said with Botswana deeply rooted in the rule of law locally and internationally, government would nonetheless do everything within the law to try and save Molapisi’s life.
“What is left is an appeal. We we will facilitate and provide counselling and support to the family and also provide some financial backing to enable the final appeal as it will be led by the international human rights organisation in Amnesty International,” President Masisi said.
He thus pleaded with Batswana to join in prayers with the hope for a lighter sentence for Molapisi.
Additionally, President Masisi expressed the seriousness of the death sentence highlighting that even some Batswana were concerned about the drug trade.
“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 President said.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
