Czech model acquitted in heroin smuggling case

Tereza Hluskova's counsel contended 'lack of evidence, merit' in drugs case

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday acquitted Czech national Tereza Hluskova who was sentenced in 2019 after allegedly being caught smuggling heroin to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

A two-judge bench heard the plea filed by the model against the sessions court's verdict of sending her behind bars for eight years and eight months. She was also reportedly fined over Rs1.4 million.

The court was told by Hluskova's counsel that the earlier decision was announced without the presence of evidence, saying the requirements of merit were not met in the case.

The LHC, after hearing detailed arguments into the case, acquitted the model of the said charges.

Also read: Drug smuggling: Czech model sentenced to over eight years in prison

Meanwhile, the Czech foreign ministry took to Twitter, saying the release "should follow within a few days" of the verdict.

It added that the embassy is "seeking more information on the release from the authorities."

🇨🇿🇵🇰 Na základě informace od advokáta můžeme potvrdit, že odvolací soud rozhodl o zproštění obžaloby české občanky v #Pákistán. Propuštění z vězení by mělo následovat v řádu dnů po vyhotovení rozsudku. Bližší informace o propuštění naše ambasáda zjišťuje u pákistánských úřadů.

— MZV ČR (@mzvcr) November 1, 2021

Tereza was taken into custody at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore after she attempted to smuggle 9kg of heroin in January 2018.

She was able to cross two security checks despite ‘stringent’ controls in place and was en route to the UAE. The value of the drugs in the international market was believed to be Rs150 million.

On the other hand, the co-accused in the case, Shoaib Hafeez Khan, was acquitted due to reasonable doubt surrounding his role in the smuggling bid.