French man faces death sentence in Malaysian drug trial

French national Tom Felix is charged with drug possession and trafficking. (AFP pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : A French man went on trial in northern Malaysia today, charged with drug possession and trafficking which could carry the death penalty if he is found guilty, his lawyer said.
Tom Felix, a former executive of French waste management firm Veolia with a degree in aquaculture and marine biology, was set to open a restaurant on the scenic resort island of Langkawi when he was arrested in early August 2023.
Police found several hundred grams of cannabis in a common area of a home where Tom, 34, was living with his Malaysian business partner, who was also arrested.
'The trial started,' Tom's lawyer Collin Andrew told AFP, saying mid-morning the case before the Alor Setar High Court had been adjourned because 'there were some items the first witness had not brought to court today'.
It would resume tomorrow with the same witness again taking the stand, he added.
The trial was scheduled to end on Thursday, but it was not known whether sentencing would take place immediately afterwards.
Tom faces the death penalty, or '104 years of cumulative imprisonment, 54 strokes of the cane and a €27,000 fine', his mother Sylvie Felix told AFP.
Drug possession and trafficking are serious crimes in Malaysia that can still carry the death sentence if the amounts are above a certain threshold.
Death sentences, however, are no longer mandatory and no executions have taken place since 2018.
Tom's parents spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron about his case during a recent state visit to neighbouring Singapore, where they live.
'He (Macron) said this situation is indeed unacceptable and that he would do everything possible to ensure Tom's release,' Sylvie said.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Malay Mail

12 minutes ago

• Malay Mail

Man dies after collapsing during National Day Parade rehearsal in Singapore

SINGAPORE, June 21 — A 47-year-old man from Changi Airport Group's (CAG) Parade and Ceremony contingent died after collapsing during a National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsal at the Padang in Singapore today. According to a joint statement by the country's Ministry of Defence (Mindef) and CAG, the incident happened at 11.23am, shortly after the end of a component rehearsal. 'He was immediately evacuated to the on-site medical post and arrived at 11.26am, where he was attended by the duty medical officer. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered immediately,' the statement said. Despite efforts to revive him, the man remained unresponsive and was transferred to a standby Singapore Armed Forces ambulance at 11.42am. 'Resuscitation efforts continued en route to hospital,' Mindef and CAG added. He arrived at Singapore General Hospital at 11.57am and was pronounced dead at 12.19pm. The man was part of one of 18 civilian contingents preparing for the NDP on August 9, which will mark Singapore's 60th National Day. Mindef and CAG said they are in contact with the man's family. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the family,' they said.

Malay Mail

17 minutes ago

• Malay Mail

Rare Irrawaddy dolphin dies in illegal ray net off Kuala Kedah, says MMEA

ALOR SETAR, June 21 — A rare Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead, tragically entangled in an illegal ray fishing net known locally as 'pukat pari' that was left behind by fishermen in the waters off Kuala Kedah yesterday. Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the dolphin, an endangered marine mammal, was found by a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol team at about 11 am, approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the Kuala Kedah estuary. 'The discovery was made following the seizure of a RM2,000 ray net, which is prohibited under the Fisheries Act 1985 due to its non-selective nature. The net not only traps stingrays and juvenile fish but also poses a serious threat to protected marine species,' she said in a statement today. Noor Azreyanti said the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), also known locally as 'empesut', is a unique species that is becoming increasingly rare in Southeast Asia, including in Malaysia. She added that the loss of even a single Irrawaddy dolphin has a major impact on the ecosystem, given its critically low population and elusive nature. Meanwhile, Noor Azreyanti said the latest seizure was the sixth involving ray nets in the Kuala Kedah maritime zone so far this year. 'The use of the nets not only affects the population of stingrays, which are benthic predators, but also disrupts the overall balance of the ecosystem if left unchecked,' she said. She also called on the public to report illegal fishing activities or suspicious activities at sea via the 999 emergency line or the Kuala Kedah maritime zone operations centre at 04-7310579. — Bernama

Malay Mail

20 minutes ago

• Malay Mail

Perak MB orders full probe after mysterious explosions, tremors rattle Ipoh residents again

IPOH, June 21 — The Perak government has called on the relevant departments to conduct a thorough investigation into the explosions and tremors reported in several areas here last Wednesday. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the incident, including a similar one in October last year, had caused concern and alarm among residents. 'It is time for the relevant departments and agencies to prepare a full report and conduct a study into the cause of the explosions,' he said at a press conference after closing the National Training Week (NTW) 2025 at the Ipoh Convention Centre (ICC) here today. Saarani also advised the public not to spread unverified or false information about the incident. 'The public should remain calm and need not worry, as the situation is under control and no serious incidents have been reported so far,' he said. Explosions and tremors were reportedly heard and felt around Chemor and Chepor here at about 10.30 am on June 18, but the cause remains unknown. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, at a press conference the following day, said the police would hold discussions with the relevant departments and agencies soon to determine the actual cause of the explosions and tremors. On Oct 21 last year, a strong tremor was felt in several areas around the city, including Tasek, Stadium Perak, Meru, Falim, Manjoi, Chemor, and Sungai Siput, at around 11.06 am, followed by a loud bang. — Bernama