Eric Kong

After a confession was beaten out of him, Eric Kong was sentenced to death for participating in a Thai drug smuggling operation.

Eric is a British national from Hong Kong who was arrested and convicted in Thailand.

The prosecution claimed that Eric was part of a drug smuggling operation in which his step-father and two other men were smuggling heroin produced in the north of Thailand to Australia.

Eric denied any involvement and indicated that he was tortured until he and his co-defendant confessed. The confession led to a conviction for which he was given a mandatory death sentence.

Reprieve monitored the case, supporting Eric with visits and letters, and liaised with the UK government about his situation. Eric was finally granted clemency in June 2006.