Japanese woman on Malaysia death row to appeal for leniency under new law

She has pleaded innocent, maintaining that she was carrying the suitcase as a favor for an Iranian acquaintance. Takeuchi testified at trial that she did not know about the drugs found in a suitcase she brought to Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Dubai

That travel route is so common, so the law is the law!

Have a Japanese young friend studying abroad who has bought "medicines " to Bulgaria as a favour for an acquaintance.

Pretty stupid and very naive so this woman's story could be accurate.

Forgot to add, the death penalty is not a deterrent in drug cases, or even murder.

She has pleaded innocent, maintaining that she was carrying the suitcase as a favor for an Iranian acquaintance.

How naive so many people in this country are. Not even a friend, and she literally has her life on the line for it.

I wonder how much he paid her to do it!

I know that JT doesn't generally allow the posting of links to external websites, but in this case, I hope it is allowed..

Here is a great piece that provides some perspective on the case,

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/497836

This is one of those stories / one of those cases where no one should form an opinion without being thoroughly familiar with the details.

There are times when mercy is called for. Someone making a stupid decision is very different from someone knowingly making a calculated decision.

My father told me that back in the 70s someone wanted him to carry and deliver a package to the U.S. for them. My father told them to clear it with customs (this was in Munich) and he would carry it. Never carry something for a stranger without customs approval beforehand, and maybe don’t do it at all if the final destination is in SE Asia.

People know the risk of drug trafficking in certain countries..

Don't do it !!..

USA and Europe should do the same..

Dura lex sed lex..

Unfortunately she knew that Malaysia has strict rules for drug trafficking. She wanted money. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime is a well known expression in the criminal world.

If her story is true she made a very stupid decisioin to carry the bag without knowing its contents. It is very well known that a few countries throughout Asia give the death penalty for drug smuggling. Whether she knew what was in the bag or not is irrelevant. It is still her responsibility to know what is in the bag. She was a seasoned traveller and should have known better, which makes it difficult for me to believe she wasn't aware of the consequences or the contents of the bag.

GuruMick......

Forgot to add, the death penalty is not a deterrent in drug cases, or even murder.

But it most certainly stops re-offending.

Lucky for her that this new law was passed. I hope she catches a break and is handed down a much lighter sentence.

You know, knowing how naive the average Japanese woman is, I wouldn't be at all surprised if her version of events were true.

She has pleaded innocent, maintaining that she was carrying the suitcase as a favor for an Iranian acquaintance.

That is quite possible, however it is not a legal excuse. That said, maybe she gets lucky. It is pretty sure she learned her lesson by now.

David Brent

You know, knowing how naive the average Japanese woman is, 

More naive than the average Western woman? You do realize how many Westerners get caught for the same "favour to aquaintences"?

Cruel laws do nothing to prevent drug smuggling. Legalization is the civilized way to control and ultimately prevent international drug trafficking. Takeuchi has paid enough with 14 years of incarceration and her death sentence. Why are humans so unnecessarily cruel? Familiarity with the history of executions around the world would make anyone with a drop of mercy and pity in their heart feel deep shame to belong to our vindictive primate species.

More naive than the average Western woman? You do realize how many Westerners get caught for the same "favour to aquaintences"?

Fairly standard excuse for most smugglers..... "This guy asked me to carry some stuff as his bag was overweight".

Speed - Lucky for her that this new law was passed. I hope she catches a break and is handed down a much lighter sentence.

As stated in the article, the alternative is 30-40 years in prison. She is 49 years old. She will likely die in prison either way.

Fool. She should have watched 'Dadah is Death' concerning the Barlow & Chambers case and subsequent execution.

I don't agree with execution for drug carrying (for heinous crimes like murder yes) but if you're stupid enough to drug mule in these countries you accept the risk.

The death penalty is nothing but murder by the state.

Once the police apprehend a suspect or criminal, the danger is over, so no need for killing.

All countries that kill people they have safely detained are full of people who are sick in the head.

It’s so very wrong killing somone for selling drugs. People are eventually buying it at their own will. Many of these illegal drugs will be legal by time and some of them are already legal in Europe. Countries should stop murdering people for trivial excuses.

To be frank, the airport security checks are wrongfully done in all countries. They check your suitcase after you checked in and have no control over it. Given the fact that many drug traffickers are the the people working at airport including security, the evidence is not valid. They should check the luggage in front of the people while checking in. Just scan, if suspected, open it right there. Otherwise, it’s wrong to blame anyone for the content of the luggage after it gets checked in.

Carrying 'goods' for sweet talking 'friends' happens all the time especially in countries where drugs trade is enormous.

Women especially fall for these men not knowing the consequences.

Latin American, Europe and some Arab countries.

just don't go there

Often the customs officers have intelligence on which bags to search. This may be part of an ongoing operation. The " I was helping a random stranger" defense is usually very easy to disprove.

Don't traffic drugs

All countries should have this stance

You know, knowing how naive the average Japanese woman is, I wouldn't be at all surprised if her version of events were true.

Perhaps you only ever meet the naive women in Japan. I wonder why that would be.

From some of the posters on this site, it seems Japanese people are always naive but foreigners are guilty.

Whenever we see foreigners commit a crime in Japan we always get a swathe of "their country, their laws" posts. Same applies here. Its on you to know the laws of a location you decide to visit. Why should get a free pass?

Guilty or not, she should not be executed, because nobody should ever be executed.

Just remember how many people she could have killed if her package made it to it's destination, I am an anti death penalty but I do believe that is some cases it is the proper penalty.

Few weeks ago I watched a documentary about people dropping dead from overdose on the streets of many cities around the world and Meth was one of them, make you wonder what should the penalty be for those who are fulling this fire!???

These days they don't even ask you if you could carry it, they will insert the package into your hand bag, backpack or even suite case the photograph you and the package then send the info to their partners who will be waiting for you at the other end.

So keep all your bags locked at all times, never leave your bags with anyone, and have a safe trip, young people or the too old are probably the target.