Lesedi Molapisi, a Botswana national convicted of drug trafficking in Bangladesh, has not yet been executed despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise. Molapisi, who was sentenced to death in May 2024 for smuggling over 3 kilograms of heroin, remains in custody as her legal team and the Botswana government work to secure her release.
Appeal Process Delays Execution
Gilbert Mangole, Botswana’s High Commissioner to India, who also oversees Bangladesh and other South Asian nations, recently addressed the situation on Radio Botswana. He clarified that Molapisi’s execution had not taken place and that her legal team had filed an appeal. However, the Bangladeshi appeals court has yet to schedule a hearing date.
“The appeal has been submitted, and we are currently awaiting a hearing date,” Mangole stated.
He also mentioned that the process could take up to a year or longer, leaving Molapisi in a state of uncertainty.
“We last checked on her in December, and she was in good health but expressed fear about her situation,” he added.
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Botswana Government’s Diplomatic Efforts
The Botswana government has been actively involved in the case, providing regular updates to Molapisi’s family. Despite their inability to visit her in Bangladesh, the government has assured them that every effort is being made to resolve the situation diplomatically and legally.
Mangole emphasized that the government is pursuing political and diplomatic channels to secure Molapisi’s release.
“We are working at the highest levels to ensure that Lesedi is pardoned and brought back home,” he said.
Botswana’s President, Duma Boko, has also committed to engaging directly with Bangladesh’s leadership to advocate for Molapisi’s clemency.
The Arrest and Conviction of Lesedi Molapisi
Lesedi Molapisi, a 30-year-old woman from Botswana, was arrested in January 2023 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Customs officials intercepted her after receiving an anonymous tip-off. Molapisi had flown into Bangladesh from South Africa, with a layover in Doha, Qatar.
During a routine inspection, officials discovered over 3 kilograms of a substance resembling heroin in her luggage. Despite her initial denial of carrying any illegal items, the evidence led to her arrest and subsequent trial. In May 2024, a Bangladeshi court sentenced her to death for drug trafficking, a crime that carries severe penalties in the country.
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International Attention and Human Rights Concerns
Molapisi’s case has drawn significant international attention, with human rights organizations and advocacy groups calling for a review of her sentence. Critics argue that drug mules, often coerced or manipulated into trafficking, should not face the death penalty. Instead, they advocate for rehabilitation and support for individuals caught in such situations.
The Botswana government’s efforts to prevent Molapisi’s execution highlight the broader issue of how countries handle drug-related offenses. While Bangladesh maintains strict anti-drug laws, the international community continues to push for more humane approaches to addressing drug trafficking.