19 Mar 2025

Botswana High Commissioner to India, Mr Gilbert Mangole says he is not privy to the developments of Lesedi Molapisi’s potential execution as reported by social media.

Instead, Mr Mangole said Molapi’s legal team had submitted an appeal to the Bangladesh Court of Appeal and awaited a hearing. In an interview with Radio Botswana today, Mr Mangole noted that the appeal could take close to two years.

He said he had not been informed of any developments regarding Molapisi’s execution and confirmed that there had been diplomatic discussions with relevant authorities regarding request for a pardon. He said plans were underway for President Advocate Duma Boko to engage with Bangladesh president on Molapisi’s case.

Molapisi was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Bangladesh on January 23, 2022 for possession of 3.145kg heroin. ENDS