A British household has arrange a
crowdfunding marketing campaign
within the hopes of elevating cash for the authorized charges of Sean Stephenson, an autistic teenager who was arrested at Tokyo airport on June 21 with a suitcase containing 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The household is adamant that Stephenson was allegedly the sufferer of gang members who befriended him after which apparently pressured him into travelling, first to Portugal, then Toronto, and eventually Tokyo, the place the arrest was made.
Ami Lee, Stephenson’s older sister, instructed Nationwide Submit by cellphone that his disappearance stunned the complete household.
“Due to his autism he says issues however generally it’s not at all times true,” she mentioned. “He saved saying, ‘I’m going to Canada.’ We didn’t truly suppose that he was going till we wakened and he was gone. We now know that he flew from Heathrow to Portugal after which to Canada. He stayed in Toronto for 5 days earlier than he flew to Japan. After which at Japan, Tokyo is the place he acquired caught and arrested.”
Lee mentioned Stephenson’s authentic journey to Heathrow airport in London was with an older man who had befriended him. She mentioned the whole lot they know concerning the 18-year-old’s actions is thru the data offered by their lawyer.
“The person took Sean’s cellphone and gave him a Nokia cellphone so Sean couldn’t have contact with us,” she mentioned. “The person organized for Sean to fulfill with one other gentleman at a Toronto mall.”
That man, she mentioned, as per info shared by her lawyer, allegedly gave him the suitcase stuffed with medication to convey to Tokyo. “They instructed him it was cash, that it was advantageous, ‘you’re simply dropping it to our good friend.’ And clearly Sean believed them.”
Lee mentioned that they’ve employed an English-speaking lawyer in Japan to assist her brother, however that the household hasn’t been capable of converse to him immediately.
“He’s on a no-contact ban,” she mentioned. “He’s not allowed contact with us so we’re paying for a lawyer. We solely know by what she’s telling us.”
She added that the household is especially fearful due to her brother’s childlike nature. “He’s 18 however his solicitor mentioned you’ll be able to inform he’s a baby,” she mentioned. “He’s very child-minded. That’s a part of his autism.”
Her web page at justgiving.com has raised a bit greater than 1,000 kilos (about $2,000 Canadian) as of Tuesday.
“Assist us convey Sean house,” the web page reads. “We’re elevating pressing funds for our beloved brother … who has been detained in Japan after being misled and exploited by people who took benefit of his vulnerability.”
In continues: “Sean is a form, light, and trusting younger man with autism and a number of bodily and psychological well being challenges. Although legally an grownup, he has a a lot youthful psychological age and has at all times been desirous to make pals — a trait that, heartbreakingly, was manipulated by these with far worse intentions. Sean has by no means been in hassle with the legislation. He lives at house in London, the place he helps look after our unwell mom. He’s additionally a faithful uncle to his 9 nieces and nephews.”
The web page concludes: “Sean is just not a felony — he’s a weak younger man who was preyed upon by those that noticed his innocence as a chance. He deserves to be house together with his household, not misplaced in a system he can’t navigate alone.”
A petition
can also be attempting to boost consciousness of Stephenson’s case.
“Sean is at present in a Japanese jail after being discovered with Meth in a locked suitcase,” the petition reads. “Sean has mentioned he didn’t know what was within the case, however was threatened with having his legs damaged and hurt to his household if he didn’t take it with him on a flight to Japan.”
It provides: “We’re taking this petition to the Japanese Embassy and the International Workplace to ask that Sean’s wants be taken into consideration.”
Lee mentioned the household has gone to the police however added: “The U.Ok. police have been no assist in anyway. So we’re attempting our greatest to get him off however clearly it’s a excessive conviction charge on the market. Japan has a 99.9 per cent conviction charge for that. It’s a really severe crime in Japan however we’re working with these legal professionals to get all his medical kinds and the whole lot collectively.”
The case has acquired protection within the British press, together with tales in
and
. The Mirror quoted a spokesperson for Britain’s Nationwide Crime Company, who mentioned: “Investigations overseas have been a matter for native authorities.” They added: “The NCA’s worldwide capabilities can facilitate U.Ok. Legislation Enforcement to worldwide requests. This stays a matter for the Met Police and chances are you’ll converse to the FCDO concerning any consular help.”
A spokesperson for the nation’s International, Commonwealth and Improvement Workplace (FCDO) then instructed the Mirror: “We’re supporting a British man who’s detained in Japan and are involved with the native authorities.”
The Each day Mail famous a case final 12 months by which Australian nationwide Donna Nelson was jailed for six years after being discovered responsible of smuggling 2 kilograms of meth into Tokyo, regardless of her claims she had been the sufferer of an internet romance rip-off. Prosecutors had requested for a 10-year sentence and a $30,000 advantageous after she was caught with the medication hid within the backside of her suitcase.
Stephenson’s mom, Star Lee, instructed the Mail: “I’m simply so unhappy for Sean. I can’t clarify how I’m feeling. It’s a traumatic expertise for all of the household. We’ve not been allowed any direct contact with him. We hear all these dangerous issues about prisons overseas. We don’t know what’s occurring and we’re simply praying he’s secure.”
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