Frenchman Returns Home After Long Ordeal
Tom Félix, 34, has returned to France after being acquitted of drug charges in Malaysia. He was warmly welcomed by family and friends at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris.
“Malaysia has stolen 909 days of my life,” Félix said, reflecting on his time in custody.
Arrest While Opening a Restaurant
Authorities accused him of possessing and trafficking drugs as he prepared to launch a restaurant on an island in northwest Malaysia.
He maintained his innocence throughout the process. The High Criminal Court of Alor Setar acquitted him on Tuesday in a judgment he described as “clear, unambiguous, and unreserved.”
Harsh Prison Conditions
During his detention, Félix faced harsh conditions. He said he shared a prison with inmates punished daily under severe rules. “I held on, I resisted, and I think of the others who are still there,” he told AFP.
Lawyer Confirms No Evidence
Félix’s lawyer, Blandine Gentil, said he had waited over three years for a trial. She confirmed the acquittal happened because authorities found no evidence against him.
National Relief and Family Reunion
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed relief after Félix’s acquittal. He highlighted the reunion with Félix’s parents, who never stopped believing in his innocence.
Félix’s case highlights Malaysia’s strict drug laws, where convictions can carry the death penalty. His release marks the end of a stressful chapter in his life.
