Malaysia: Frenchman Tom Félix tried for cannabis possession faces death penalty

In the house where he was staying with his Malaysian partner, police found several hundred grams of cannabis in the common areas. Both men were arrested.

The young Frenchman's trial "opened Monday morning" before the Alor Setar High Criminal Court (northwest), his Malaysian lawyer Collin Andrew said. The trial, which was scheduled to last until Thursday, was suspended late morning and is scheduled to resume Tuesday "because a witness had not provided certain evidence," his lawyer said. "The trial will resume tomorrow (Tuesday, editor's note), with the same witness," he added.

"Exonerated by his partner"

Tom Félix faces "the death penalty, or 104 years of cumulative imprisonment, 54 strokes of the cane, and a fine of €27,000," his mother, a teacher at the French High School in Singapore like her husband, had indicated. The young man's parents were received on May 30 by Emmanuel Macron, who was on an official visit to Singapore.

"He heard us and said that this situation is indeed unacceptable and that he would do everything possible to ensure Tom is released," Ms. Félix said after the meeting with the French president.

"I have no doubt about the innocence of Tom, who is living through hell, struggling with a system that crushes people and for which time is of no importance," reacted his French lawyer François Zimeray, a former ambassador for human rights.