‘Unsuspecting drug dealer’s’ appeal to be heard in Thai High Court
There might be light at the end of the tunnel for a young woman who is serving a sentence of 33 years in a Thai jail for alleged drug dealing.
The application to appeal Ashley Oosthuizen’s (24) sentence for drug trafficking will be heard in the Supreme Court in Thailand. However, this might take some time.
Oosthuizen has been in jail in Thailand since her arrest in 2020. She was found guilty of drug dealing in 2021 after she accepted a package containing ecstasy from a delivery man at the restaurant where she was working in October 2020 – allegedly on behalf of someone else.
Oosthuizen maintains that she was unaware of the contents of the package.
She was initially told she would be sentenced to death, but upon sentencing in August that year, she received life imprisonment. This sentence was appealed in August 2022 and it was reduced to 33 years – a sentence that they appealed again.
However, the procedure to appeal a sentence in Thailand is very difficult and lengthy. Firstly, the applicant needs to petition the court to have their case heard – this can take up to a year or longer. If the petition is denied, the road ends. If the petition is accepted, it may take up to two years to receive a ‘another round conquered by the grace of God alone. We are grateful that something positive like this happened’, says Oosthuizen’s mother, Lynn Blignaut.
Blignaut has settled in Thailand after selling her business in George to be closer to her daughter. She has also taught herself to speak and write some Thai.
“We know everything happens according to the Lord’s timing and we have never doubted Him,” she says. “I will stay here in Thailand for as long as I can. I’m already establishing myself here.”
Unfortunately, however grateful she is to everyone who wants to help, Blignaut says that the visitation rules are very strict there. No packages are allowed and only family members are allowed to visit.
“You can’t just arrive and request a visit with Ashley, unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way here,” she says.
Previous articles
- Ashley’s mother settles in Thailand – 2nd appeal pending
- Ashley remains in Thai jail
- Ashley’s appeal heard in Thai court
- Precious 12½ min video call with Ashley
- Prison turns mother away
- Ashley remains upbeat in jail
- Ashley out of isolation
- Leaked messages could’ve been ‘anyone’
- Let’s wear yellow for Ashley
- Free Ashley: Parents thankful for support
- Free Ashley: Parents to open Trust Fund for donations
- Free Ashley
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