French National Freed After Two-and-a-Half Years in Detention for Drug Charges
A Malaysian court has handed down a surprise verdict, acquitting a French national of eight drug-related charges that carried the death penalty. Tom Félix, 34, was released from detention after nearly two and a half years behind bars.
In a decision delivered on Tuesday, Alor Setar High Court Judge Evawani Farisyta Mohammad ruled that prosecutors had failed to prove that Félix had control, custody, or possession of the drugs in question. The verdict effectively frees Félix from the possibility of a 104-year prison sentence, 54 strokes of the cane, and a €31,000 fine – the potential consequences if convicted.
Félix's family was visibly relieved as he emerged from court, his hands cuffed but a hint of a smile on his face. The former Veolia executive appeared to have lost weight since his arrest, sparking concerns about the conditions of his detention. His parents were seen embracing each other in joy after hearing the news.
Félix and his Malaysian business partner were arrested in 2023 after police discovered large quantities of cannabis at their shared residence. Authorities claimed that Félix had also been found in possession of smaller amounts of the drug, but he maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
The acquittal is a significant development in Malaysia's approach to narcotics laws, which still permit capital punishment for serious drug-related offenses. However, death sentences are no longer mandatory, and there have been no executions carried out since 2018. The verdict may signal a shift towards more lenient punishments for individuals caught with smaller quantities of illicit substances.
A Malaysian court has handed down a surprise verdict, acquitting a French national of eight drug-related charges that carried the death penalty. Tom Félix, 34, was released from detention after nearly two and a half years behind bars.
In a decision delivered on Tuesday, Alor Setar High Court Judge Evawani Farisyta Mohammad ruled that prosecutors had failed to prove that Félix had control, custody, or possession of the drugs in question. The verdict effectively frees Félix from the possibility of a 104-year prison sentence, 54 strokes of the cane, and a €31,000 fine – the potential consequences if convicted.
Félix's family was visibly relieved as he emerged from court, his hands cuffed but a hint of a smile on his face. The former Veolia executive appeared to have lost weight since his arrest, sparking concerns about the conditions of his detention. His parents were seen embracing each other in joy after hearing the news.
Félix and his Malaysian business partner were arrested in 2023 after police discovered large quantities of cannabis at their shared residence. Authorities claimed that Félix had also been found in possession of smaller amounts of the drug, but he maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
The acquittal is a significant development in Malaysia's approach to narcotics laws, which still permit capital punishment for serious drug-related offenses. However, death sentences are no longer mandatory, and there have been no executions carried out since 2018. The verdict may signal a shift towards more lenient punishments for individuals caught with smaller quantities of illicit substances.
finally some good news about the case... I was getting worried they were gonna stick him with the max sentence 
2.5 yrs is way too long, can't believe he survived that 
my bad for not making a comment earlier, guess I just wasn't paying attention 
... I mean, think about that, 730 days of his life, gone. Just because the system said it couldn't pin anything on him doesn't mean justice was served, you know? It's like, what does freedom even look like when you've been in a place for that long? Does he just walk out into a world that feels foreign after being stuck behind bars for two years and three months?
. And what about his mental health? The weight he must've lost, the things he must've seen or heard in that place...it's like, does he ever get to rediscover who he is outside of those walls?
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, where they showed the harsh realities of the war on drugs in Mexico... nowadays, it's all about human rights and stuff 
. I mean, can you believe this French dude was stuck behind bars for two-and-a-half years just because he had some cannabis at his pad? 
It's crazy how times have changed... remember when people used to get busted with weed and just get a fine or community service? Now, it's like, "Oh no, we gotta throw the book at you" 
. I guess this verdict is like a breath of fresh air... now let's hope our Malaysian courts become more chill about all this 
That's like, crazy long time to be held without knowing what's gonna happen next! I mean, it's not entirely surprising though, the prosecution didn't really have a solid case against him and they didn't do their research right. The fact that he lost weight while in detention is super concerning btw, hope he gets some proper food and rest now 
. Anyway, this verdict might be a good sign for people caught with smaller amounts of cannabis, maybe Malaysia is starting to rethink its strict laws? 
. Have you guys tried that Korean BBQ sandwich? It's literally the best thing since sliced bread 
. Anyway, back to Tom Félix... I mean, can you imagine being stuck in a Malaysian court for two and a half years without even seeing your family or enjoying a decent meal? 
Poor guy. I'm glad he's finally free, but 104-year prison sentence? That's just crazy talk 
. And what was the deal with all those strokes of the cane? Like, who gets 54 canings for cannabis possession? 
Sorry, not sorry, Malaysia 
.
– probably gonna need a vacation to recover from all that time locked up 
. You feel me? The Malaysian court basically said "sorry dude, you didn't do anything wrong" and now Tom Félix gets to live his best life... meanwhile, we should be celebrating our own freedom from Monday mornings 
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and yeah those conditions in detention must've taken a toll on his physical & mental health 
my heart goes out to his parents too, they must be over the moon with relief 
and the fact that he got off scot-free is actually kinda good news for him and his family 
anyway, glad he's free now and can get his life back on track 
And who knows, maybe this sets a precedent for smaller offenses too. 
I feel really sorry for Tom Félix and his family, spending nearly two and a half years in detention without being proven guilty 
. I'm all for giving people a second chance and considering rehabilitation over punishment 
. They must be absolutely thrilled 
at least now he's free to go and all, but I'm sure his experience has left him shaken 
- Theodore Roosevelt 
he was on death row over some cannabis, can't believe the prosecutors messed up 
maybe they'll start giving less severe punishments for smaller quantities of drugs?
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. If more people like Tom Félix are acquitted, it might show that the current laws are too strict 
. Maybe we'll start seeing smaller sentences for those caught with small amounts of illicit substances 
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. Who knows, maybe Malaysia will follow suit and make some positive changes