Eda Ezrin's freedom hopes dim as Thai prosecutors appeal drug case

New Straits Times

5 days ago

KOTA BARU: Dikir barat singer Eda Ezrin is unlikely to be released next week, as Thai prosecutors are expected to file an appeal in her drug case and those of five other Malaysians.
The prosecution is seeking to fix a trial date before the appeal period ends on Aug 6, sources told NST.
"The prosecutors have brought the appeal to the central court and are expected to refer the case back to the original court — the Narathiwat Provincial Court for a retrial," said the sources.
The sources said the prosecution is likely to open a new case file against all six individuals but the nature of the new charges remains unclear at this point.
In March, the Narathiwat Provincial Court acquitted Eda Ezrin and five others of possession of methamphetamine pills.
The decision was made by a panel of two judges in a 30-minute trial at the court.
For the drug consumption charge, the judge handed each of them a six-month jail sentence and a fine of 4,000 baht (RM526).
However, they were not required to serve the jail sentences or pay the fines as they had already been held in Narathiwat Prison for more than four months.
Eda Ezrin whose real name is Wan Norshaheeda Azlin Wan Ismail, along with five others were arrested in Sungai Golok last November.
However, the prosecution filed an appeal and was granted a five-month extension, which is set to expire next month.
The case has drawn public attention in both Thailand and Malaysia, with legal observers watching closely as the deadline for the appeal approaches in eight days.