British Man Pleads for Leniency in Bali Drug Trial as Trafficking Charge Dropped
Denpasar, Indonesia – May 20, 2025
A British man facing significant legal repercussions for drug offenses on the Indonesian island of Bali made an emotional plea for leniency in court on Tuesday. Thomas Parker, a 32-year-old electrician from Cumbria, saw charges against him shift dramatically after prosecutors dropped a trafficking charge that could have resulted in the death penalty.
Parker was originally arrested on January 21 after allegedly collecting a package associated with illegal drugs from a motorcycle taxi driver near Kuta Beach, a well-known area for tourists. Observant police officers noted Parker’s suspicious behavior as he obtained the package, prompting them to approach. In a state of panic, he is reported to have discarded the item and fled, but authorities quickly tracked him back to his accommodation.
Laboratory analysis revealed that the package contained slightly over one kilogram of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a substance commonly known as ecstasy. Despite the initial seriousness of the trafficking charge and the severe potential penalties, including execution by firing squad, investigators later concluded that the package was not directly linked to Parker, leading to the charge’s dismissal.
The case, which remained relatively low-profile until Parker’s handcuffed appearance at a news conference on March 6, took a turn when it was revealed that the package was sent by a friend identified only as Nicky, who has a background in drug dealing. Over the course of the trial, Parker testified about his interactions with Nicky, stating that he initially resisted collecting the package but felt reassured by his friend’s insistence that it was safe.
Parker’s attorney, Edward Pangkahila, clarified that his client was not promised any compensation for his actions, which were framed as an unfortunate decision influenced by his past relationship with Nicky. Despite the less severe charge of hiding information from authorities now standing against him, there remains a possibility for further legal complications, as Indonesian judges have the discretion to impose additional charges in ambiguous circumstances.
During his final remarks in court, Parker, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, expressed deep remorse for the situation. "I am very sorry and apologize; I know it was a mistake," he stated. "I promise not to repeat it again, because I really didn’t know that [the package] was drugs."
Presiding Judge Gusti Ayu Akhirnyani then adjourned the proceedings, setting a date for the verdict announcement on May 27. Pangkahila reiterated his belief in Parker’s innocence, asserting that the prosecution has yet to establish any direct ties to a drug network and emphasized Parker’s ongoing emotional distress in light of the trial.
Indonesia is renowned for its stringent drug laws, which impose severe penalties on those convicted of trafficking, with a significant number of individuals currently on death row for drugs offenses. Data from the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections indicates that around 530 individuals, including 96 foreigners, are facing execution, with the last executions carried out in July 2016. The outcome of Parker’s trial remains uncertain as he and his legal team hope for a favorable resolution in the coming days.
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