Drug appeal

THE Appeal Court on Friday upheld the sentence handed down to an Australian national for drug smuggling in 2008, presiding judge Seng Sivutha said. Simon Peter Conway, now 52, was arrested on October 17, 2007, at Phnom Penh International Airport after customs officials, in cooperation with anti-drug police, confiscated 40 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a condom in his pocket. Conway admitted to smuggling narcotics for personal use, but was sentenced to six years jail for cross-border drug smuggling in July 2008.

Defence lawyer Dun Vibol on Friday appealed for the sentence to be reduced due to the man’s guilty plea, cooperation with authorities and unidentified health issues.

“Taking account of his illness, my client requested that the court reduce his sentence so he can return to Australia. His current prison conditions lack proper medical treatment for his disease,” said Dun Vibol.

Dun Vibol said it was up to Peter whether he lodges a further appeal. The judge upheld the lower court’s sentencing based on the lack of a certified doctor’s letter.  Court deputy prosecutor Sor Yus Thavirak approved of the judge’s ruling, saying the initial decision “was proper and the procedure was legal”.