Wanganui man's Bali drugs trial to resume

Antony de Malmanche

The trial of a Wanganui man facing drugs charges will resume in Bali today.

Antony de Malmanche was arrested in December at Bali's Denpasar International Airport and charged with carrying 1.7kg of methamphetamine in his backpack.

The trial, which began about a month ago, usually sits one day a week, on a Tuesday.

But de Malmanche's New Zealand lawyer Craig Tuck said he would appear on Thursday this week because prosecutors were not available.

At today's session, the court is expected to hear from police witnesses after hearing from Bali customs officials nine days ago. The prosecution is expected to take another month.

The defence will argue de Malmanche was a trafficked person. He had travelled to Hong Kong to meet his internet girlfriend "Jessie", before flying to Bali, and his supporters argue he was duped.