Editorial: Case to probe Kiwi's plight

If what Tony de Malmanche's lawyer Craig Tuck is saying is true, surely this case deserves a closer look, says Linda Hall.

If Tony de Malmanche, the 52-year-old Whanganui man arrested for drug trafficking in Indonesia, does have mental-health issues and was really duped by a sophisticated international drug smuggling ring, then Prime Minister John Key needs to show some compassion and at least look into the case.

Anyone in their right mind would surely not try to take 1.7kg of crystal methamphetamine into a country which punishes such crimes with the death penalty.

De Malmanche's Tauranga lawyer Craig Tuck is claiming his client has a history of mental illness and has spent years in institutional care.

De Malmanche is now facing the very real possibility of death by firing squad.

We have all seen the way drug traffickers are treated by Indonesian authorities. They parade them in front of media and the consequences are severe, sometimes fatal.

They are their laws and I find it hard to believe anyone entering Indonesia is not aware of the rules surrounding drugs.

Putting your life at risk for the sake of money is ludicrous. However, greed is something that some people can't resist. They obviously don't think about the consequences of getting caught, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

The Prime Minister has said Kiwis wouldn't like it if Indonesia interfered with our laws and he is right.

But if what de Malmanche's lawyer is saying is true, surely this case deserves a closer look.

This Kiwi man might just deserve a second chance.

Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawkes Bay Today.