Appeal for Indian jail man Malluzzo

A backpacker serving a hard labour sentence in an Indian jail is one step closer to freedom as authorities prepare to review his case today.
Patrick Malluzzo has served more than half of a 10-year sentence in a Rajasthan jail, having been arrested for drug smuggling months into a backpacking trip.
But the 32-year-old, who has always maintained his innocence, could soon be reunited with his family after legal bosses granted him an appeal date.
In January 2004, four months into his trip, Patrick was arrested at Mumbai airport on suspicion of drug trafficking after his unattended bag was found on a train alongside another bag containing drugs.
The owner of that bag was never identified. Patrick claims he gave one of his bags to a travelling companion to take on to Goa while he stayed in Delhi.
But in July 2006 he was found guilty of smuggling cannabis.
The charity's chief executive, Jago Russell, claims the verdict was unsafe because there is no proof the bag holding the drugs belonged to the former banker.
Today, after a catalogue of delays and adjournments, legal chiefs in India are finally due to hear his appeal. If successful, it could see him back home within days.
08/10/09 Simon Tulett/Kent Online, UK

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Categories: Airports Oct 2009, Foreign Oct 2009