[imagesource: Netwerk24]

South African Ashley Oosthuizen’s story hit the headlines back in February following a concerted effort by her parents to raise awareness regarding her situation.

The 23-year-old, originally from George, moved to Thailand after matriculating in 2018. A series of events led to her being convicted of international drug trafficking, but her family and friends maintain that she is innocent.

They say she was tricked by her then-boyfriend, American Tristan Nettles, who she met while working as a kindergarten teacher on the island of Koh Samui.

Nettles spoke with Carte Blanche in April and it’s fair to say he didn’t make a great impression.

Oosthuizen was originally sentenced to death but that was commuted to life in jail last August. She is being held in custody in the central prison in Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand.

The most recent development in Oosthuizen’s attempts to secure her freedom saw her appear in front of an independent bench of judges in the Koh Samui court on Wednesday.

Cape Town Etc reports that the Koh Samui Court decided to reduce the 23-year-old’s sentence:

Ashley’s mom, Lynn Blignaut, said that Ashley’s appeal went well and that her sentence was discounted to 33,4 years, from an initial death sentence which was later reduced to a life sentence. The family has another 30 days to appeal.

Image: Facebook

“We hoped from the nature of the case that she would be released. But we rest with our heavenly Father that he still has everything under control. We praise him for every little miracle. Our trust is still in him and we know his plans for Ashley’s future are good. We know we serve a living God who loves us very much and will never leave us and will never forsake us. His plans are not our plans and they are far greater than we’ll ever realise!”

According to The George Herald, Oosthuizen and Blignaut were able to have a 12-minute video call on July 6 and the former is doing well considering the circumstances. Oosthuizen has started working as a librarian in prison.

Blignaut attempted to visit her daughter in person earlier this year but said that “due to the COVID restrictions at that stage [April/May] it was impossible to see her”.

There was talk that Oosthuizen is eligible to be considered for a royal pardon. Speaking in July, her mother said that was unlikely:

“She’s healthy and she remains positive, but it seems she won’t qualify for a pardon anytime soon,” says Blignaut. “We have tried everything we can for now. Firstly she has to plead guilty and then spend a minimum of four years in prison. After that she can apply every year to be considered for the pardon.”

Image: FreeAshley.org

…Ashley told her mother she refuses to plead guilty as she is 100% innocent.

“In God’s time she will come home, no matter what. In the meantime she has learnt to speak and write fluent Thai”.

Blignaut also said Oosthuizen is “giving cha-cha lessons” and two of her students will be competing in a dance competition held between various Bangkok prisons.

You can keep up to date with the latest developments via the Facebook page, ‘A voice for Ashley Oosthuizen’.

[sources:capetownetc&georgeherald]