editorial comment and the massacre goes on......

A former resident of British Columbia is in jail and facing the death penalty in Taiwan after being charged with smuggling and trafficking cocaine.

28-year-old Mathieu Forand was allegedly found with cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana at a party in his home in Taipei.

Friends said Forand has been teaching English in Taiwan for several years.

They say the prosecution is pushing for the death penalty or 25 years in prison, while Forand's lawyer is arguing for a sentence of 10 to 15 years.

His father, Peter Forand of Port Moody, B.C., fears his son may have signed a confession so his visitors wouldn't be caught up in the prosecution.

Taiwan is one of 58 countries worldwide that imposes capital punishment, and drug crimes there are subject to the death penalty.

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