Lesedi Molapisi, a 30-year-old Botswana woman, was found in possession of drugs at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and was sentenced to death by Bangladesh.

When Molapisi was discovered in possession of more than 3.145 kg of heroin during a Qatar Airways aircraft from South Africa via Doha, Qatar, she was detained for narcotics trafficking at some point in 2022.

Anyone detected in possession or distributing drugs faces the death penalty in this Asian nation. Molapisi showed up in the capital city of Dhaka at a court.

In response to the revelation, President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana declared that his nation would appeal the death penalty, while he also acknowledged that his nation had misgivings regarding its people who were found to have engaged in drug-related activities.

“What is left is an appeal. We will facilitate and provide counselling to the family. Provide some sort of financial support to enable the final appeal, as is led by the international human rights agency, Amnesty International,” said Masisi.

He added: “I must also remind you that even in our own consultation of the constitutional review, Batswana expressed a similar view to the country where she is being sentenced. There are some strong sentiments out there about involvement in the drug trade.”

Masisi addressed the media before departure to Las Vegas, the United States for the JCK Diamond Show where he would meet with other world leaders, diamond buyers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and entrepreneurs for various jewelry brands.

“I leave on a sombre note knowing that a Motswana far away is facing hardship,” Masisi said.

The JCK Diamond Show welcomes more than 17,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors drawn from more than 130 countries worldwide.