Lesedi Molapisi released from Bangladesh prison after death sentence clemency

Lesedi Molapisi, a 34-year-old Botswana national, has been released from a Bangladeshi prison following the granting of executive clemency by the government of Bangladesh on 1 September 2026. Molapisi had been facing execution by hanging after being convicted of drug smuggling in May 2024. She was originally arrested at Dhaka’s international airport in January 2022 after being found in possession of three kilograms of heroin.

The Botswana government confirmed that her release was the result of sustained diplomatic efforts led by President Duma Boko. The Ministry of International Relations engaged with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and former Interim Prime Minister Mohammed Yunus to secure the commutation of her sentence. Botswana’s diplomatic missions in South Africa and India also provided consular assistance during the process.

The case drew significant attention in Botswana due to the severity of the death sentence and the potential for a citizen to be executed abroad. While the diplomatic mission successfully secured Molapisi’s release, the case has also highlighted domestic debates regarding capital punishment within Botswana.