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Appeal for jailed son
 AN
IRISHWOMAN living in Britain has launched a public appeal to both the
British and Irish governments for help to get her son released from a
prison in India.
Teresa Malluzzo is seeking the help of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his
British counterpart Gordon Brown to raise her case with the Indian authorities.
Her 30-year-old son Patrick was arrested in January 2004 at India’s
Mumbai Airport for smuggling 19kg of cannabis as he was preparing to continue
on his backpacking trip to Thailand.
Police in the state of Rajasthan associated Patrick with the crime after
the drugs were found in luggage left on a train.
Among the bags was a hold-all belonging to Pat-rick — even though
he was not on the train.
His family say he had asked a friend to look after it while he went off
on his travels.
But police discovered a photocopy of his passport and brought a prosecution
against him even though no drugs were found in his own luggage.
Patrick has continually protested his innocence and says he had no idea
who placed the drugs there.
But he was convicted of drug smuggling in July 2006 and sentenced to 10
years in prison.
Ms Malluzzo from Dartford in Essex claims her son was denied a fair trial.
She said: “He had no idea what was going on as the trial was conducted
in Hindi even though his solicitor did speak English.”
The only contact Ms Malluzzo has had with her son since his arrest is
a weekly letter.
“The conditions in the prison aren’t great,” she said.
“Patrick’s cell is effectively just a cage and he is not allowed
to make phone calls.”
The Kilkenny woman said Patrick was in low spirits and taking medication
to combat depression.
But she is convinced of his innocence.
She said: “Everyone who knows Patrick was shocked when they heard
he had been charged with a drugs offence.
“We’re looking at having to sell the family home and downsize
because of the legal costs.
“We’ve already spent thousands of pounds on the case.”
In Ireland the campaign spearheaded by Ms Malluzzo’s sister Ann
Stuart from Callan in Co. Kilkenny has enlisted the help of local TD and
junior Minister John McGuinness.
They are also hoping to arrange a meeting with the Indian ambassador to
Ireland.
She said: “Our life has effectively been placed on hold. You try
and live a normal life but it’s not easy and Patrick is always there
in our thoughts.” |
