TNAG-1996-FCO40-2843-Hong-Kong-Drug-Trafficking-(Recovery-of-Proceeds)-Ordinance--1991 — Page 310

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DSR 11

RUSHMOTAHOE TE MANKROT

MPGAAF

PS/Mr Eggar

Private Secretary

FROM: JC HARRISON

CONSULAR DEPARTMENT

DATE:

CC:

PS/PUS/

PUSHKD 385/2

Mr Blatherwick

Mr McLaren

News Dept

SEAD

Hong Kong Department

i

PROBLEM

UND

PRU

OF

The "Hong Kong Eight" Death Sentences for Drug

Offences

1.

The "Hong Kong Eight's" appeal against the

death sentencing for drug trafficking has been

rejected by the Supreme Court. If the pleas they

and HMG will be making to the Pardons Board for

commutation of the death sentence fail, the Prime

Minister will be expected by sections of the Press

and Public in both UK and Hong Kong, as well as

the 8s' families, to make a personal plea for

commutation to the Malaysian Prime Minister to

save them from execution. However any such plea

seems likely to fail, as it did in the case of

محمد

Kevin Barlow. Should the Prime Minister

nevertheless make such a plea?

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