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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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India: Jailed backpacker gives up fight to clear his name
Kent News Sunday 09 May 2010 Patrick Malluzzo, from Dartford, has applied for a transfer to a British prison, even though it means dropping an appeal in the Indian Supreme Court to quash his conviction. But the 32-year-old, who was arrested in 2004 for possession of cannabis, said his fight had "reached the end of the road". "My family and I have been fighting for justice in India for the last six years – a fight which has taken a serious toll on all of us," he said. "I want to return to the UK so that I can be close to my family." Mr Malluzzo was arrested while backpacking in India when a bag containing 19kg cannabis – worth £2,000 in India – was found under train seats booked in his name and that of his co-accused 'J'. He had not used the seat after a change in travel plans, but a bag of his dirty washing and personal belongings were found with the drugs. He claimed he had asked J – another British backpacker – to take them so he could travel light, arranging to meet him at a later date in Goa. The pair met and J said he had got off the train to buy food and it had left the station with the belongings. Former City worker Mr Malluzzo said he had thought nothing of it and booked flights to Thailand for the next part of his trip. But he was arrested at Mumbai Airport and charged with possession of cannabis, despite there being no witnesses to link him to the crime. Mr Malluzzo – then 26 – was locked up and forced to wait two years for a trial, during which time he claimed to be tortured, saying authorities flogged him with pieces of hard rubber, burnt his body with cigarettes and used pliers on his genitals. Unable to cope with the torture and escalating violence he signed a confession and was sentenced to 10 years in Kota jail in Rajasthan. His co-accused J was acquitted on the same evidence, even though he had been arrested before the trial for similar cannabis-related offences. An appeal in the Rajasthan High Court earlier this year also proved unsuccessful. Now, in a desperate attempt to return to the UK, Mr Malluzzo has said he will drop his next appeal in the hope it means he can come home and transfer to a British prison. "I do not think we can continue the fight in the Supreme Court and live through another two years of this ordeal while that goes on," he said. "I implore the governments of the UK and India not to hold up my family's reunion. Please bring me home as soon as possible." Mr Malluzzo currently shares a cell with 54 other inmates who sleep head-to-toe on a stone floor. He has contracted malaria and is covered in rat bites. Lawyers from Fair Trials International, who have been helping fight his case, said they understand his decision. Jago Russell, chief executive of the organisation, said: "Patrick and his family have shown great courage over the last six years and it is a travesty this young man will come home with a guilty conviction." http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Jailed-backpacker-gives-up-fight-to-clear-his-name-newsinkent35553.aspx?news=local
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