The case of Chilean tourists who could be sentenced to death in Malaysia

Two Chilean tourists were nine months ago in Malaysia's Sungai Buloh Prison and may be sentenced to death soon after being
Fernando Candia, 30, and Felipe Osiadacz, 27, are two young Chileans who, after working for a year in New Zealand, traveled to Southeast Asia on vacation. Newly arrived in Malaysia, they had a confrontation with a man who suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

According to relatives, "everything that happened was in a state of self-defense". "Our children are innocent of the accusation that is blamed on them. It was nothing more than a terrible accident that affected two young people who were only going to enjoy their holidays," the report said. parents.

According to the history of the family, "were approached by a Malaysian, who according to the forensic report was under the influence of narcotics."

This man followed them to the inn after asking "insistently" that they give him money. Once at the front desk, they asked the receptionist to call the police and then the man became more violent. Young people struggled and managed to stop him "without any intention of hurting him". At this time, the man was a victim of cardiac arrest and died

The Young people were to be tried in May but the decision was postponed until August. Meanwhile, their lawyers are doing everything possible to avoid being sentenced and sent back to their country.

"Despite the rigor of the prison system, they trust that they have not committed homicide and that they hope to return to their country. we expect the same thing ",
said Juan Carlos Manríquez, a lawyer specializing in international law.

In Malaysia, the law severely punishes homicides. Therefore, the lawyer and family members want to convince the Malaysian authorities that the episode was a tragic accident.

"All actions based on respect, dignity and recognition of the Malaysian authorities are conducted, since it is a fact that has occurred on its territory," said Manriquez, in Sending to Radio Rivadavia.

The lawyer expects international organizations to intercede to bring young people back to their country. "My professional experience in the international criminal justice system is that in similar cases, both the intentional criminal court and the United Nations Security Council have sometimes had an intervention," the lawyer concluded.