The family of Daniel Holmes, who is serving 10 years in prison in Malta for growing cannabis plants, is petitioning the European Commission alleging "systemic discrimination" against non-Maltese offenders.
The Guardian newspaper reports today how Holmes, from south Wales, was convicted in 2011 five years after his arrest and the sentence was confirmed by appeal court judges in October. The case fuelled a debate over drug laws, with the opera tenor Joseph Calleja joining protests at what he called a disproportionate punishment.
"Since the appeal court judgment, there has been more anger after a Maltese man, already serving 11 years for trafficking drugs, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and fined €3,000 for growing almost twice as much cannabis as Holmes," the newspaper says.
Holmes told the Guardian he was buoyed by the Maltese people who had campaigned on his behalf, including on protest marches. "Although I am a foreigner, it is not just [about] my case. It is the whole system and the way it works." Everything "moves so incredibly slowly", added Holmes.
"Although I have been pretty much always a cannabis smoker, I have held down jobs and never let it get in the way of my life."
The British Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the detention in Malta of Daniel Holmes, and his recent appeal. We continue to provide consular assistance to Mr Holmes and his family."
See also - Holmes fears longer prison stay http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131225/local/holmes-fears-longer-prison-stay-as-he-cannot-pay-court-appeal-costs.500333#.UrvREftomrg