Belgian sentenced to life over Brazilian cocaine

[geovalin]

Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday re-sentenced a Belgian man who was sentenced to life in prison in absentia in June for trafficking more than one kilogram of cocaine from Brazil to Cambodia through Phnom Penh International Airport in January. Tanguy J. Taller, 36, a tourist convicted of drug trafficking together with accomplice David Catry Noel, 37, also a Belgian tourist, was again sentenced to life in prison yesterday after requesting a retrial.

 

Judge Chhoem Rithy said Mr Taller was convicted of transporting drugs and trafficking, noting that Mr Taller was arrested on October 4 at the Cambodia-Vietnam International Checkpoint in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet city, after which he requested a retrial while in prison. “Although the accused has denied the allegation and said that he was not involved, he did not prove to the court that he’s innocent,” Judge Rithy said. “Based on real evidence, the court upholds the June 22 sentence and finds him guilty and sentences him to life in prison.”

 

Mr Taller, who was present in court yesterday, broke down in tears after hearing his sentence. He said the judgement was unfair and again denied the allegations, adding that he will file an appeal with the Appeal Court.

 

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/category/national/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 20/12

[Mitker]

20 hours ago, geovalin said:

"(...) he did not prove to the court that he’s innocent,” Judge Rithy said.

I may be kind of old fashioned, but for me it's the other way around if we're talking about Justice

[Foexie]

2 hours ago, Mitker said:

I may be kind of old fashioned, but for me it's the other way around if we're talking about Justice

That's what they did the first time. The second time he still didn't bring new proof of his innocence so the outcome was same.

[sanemax]

What evidence did they have against him ?

[4737 Carlin]

3 hours ago, sanemax said:

What evidence did they have against him ?

Its Cambodia - they make it up as they go along - their 'justice' system is a joke. He probably didn't have enough money to pay them so they put him away - whether he's guilty or not is irrelevant to them.

Edited December 21, 2018 by 4737 Carlin

[MyFriend You]

He could be pardoned in the yearly 'Pardon' exercise the King goes thru for non-violent offenses, in which drug trafficking is one of them.  This is just the way the Court saves face and shows the populace that they were right the first time.  Good Luck on appealing, it will take years, it's safer to just drop it and wait for the pardon.