Pardon for two French women jailed on drugs charges

posted on: Jan 11 2010 9:34 by The Reporter. Viewed 1727 times.


Christmas brought good tidings to two young French women who had been jailed in the Dominican Republic for trafficking cocaine.

The two women, C�line Faye (20) and Sarah Zaknoun (19), were officially pardoned by President Leonel Fernandez after pressure from President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Both received a �Christmas pardon� after being caught with six kilograms of cocaine in their luggage.
�It�s thanks to her that we are here,� said Faye, referring to Ms Bruni-Sarkozy soon after being released from her cell after serving just 18 months of an eight-year sentence. 

Faye and Zaknoun, were caught trying to smuggle the drugs, which had a street value of around US$250,000, onto a flight from the Dominican Republic to Paris in June 2008.

Both have always insisted that they were innocent and that a mystery third party had planted the cocaine in their luggage without them knowing, prompting Ms Bruni-Sarkozy to take up their case.

Welcoming Mr Fernandez�s decision to grant the pardon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was a �humanitarian gesture�.

He said the women�s one-week holiday in the Dominican Republic had �turned their lives into a nightmare.�  

He also made it clear that they will not face further charges when they get back to France.
French development minister Alain Joyandet said: �This nice Christmas tale must not make us forget that drug traffickers continue to destroy lives and abuse the naivete of our youngsters.� 

Ex-model and singer-songwriter, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who has been a favourite with French glossy magazines, has publicly said she has no interest in politics.

19 related news articles

French police find 150 kilos of cocaine and arrest four Dominicans: Aug 31 2011

5000 Dominican military and police involved in crime: Nov 12 2010

Canadian tourist arrested with police sergeant on drugs charges: Sep 28 2010

Russians arrested with drugs: Sep 16 2010

Peruvian drugs carrier arrested at Las Americas: Sep 9 2010

Spanish citizen busted for drugs at Punta Cana: Sep 2 2010

Canadians try to smuggle cocaine in pumpkins: Jun 17 2010

American drugs �mule� arrested at Las Americas airport: May 21 2010

Navy seizes boat with over US$1 million in cash: Apr 26 2010

Dutchman and American arrested for drugs offences: Apr 16 2010

American arrested at Las Americas airport with cocaine: Apr 4 2010

American busted with 1 kilo of cocaine at Santiago airport: Mar 9 2010

3 Frenchmen busted with over 10 kilos of cocaine at Dominican airport: Mar 4 2010

3 Canadians arrested in 72kg drug bust: Mar 1 2010

107 arrested in DNCD/Police joint operation: Feb 15 2010

Dominican army sergeant arrested with 1kg cocaine: Feb 11 2010

Santiago drugs exporters busted: Feb 11 2010

Cannabis farm raided: Feb 11 2010

Swedes arrested in Sosua for large heist: Jan 14 2010