International human rights barrister Jennifer Robinson has joined the National Justice Project to advise the family of Ballardong Njaki-Njaki woman Donna Nelson ahead of her trial set down to begin next month on 18 November 2024.
The West Australian grandmother Donna Nelson is currently being held in Chiba prison, Japan, awaiting trial for a crime she is alleged to have committed after falling victim to a romance scam. Donna’s daughter Ashlee Charles said her family was really concerned about their mother’s mental and physical health and the conditions of her confinement since her arrest in early January 2023.
“Our Mum is a very social person and it has been so hard to think of her isolated in a cell each day in a foreign country where she doesn’t even know the language,” Mrs Charles said.
“We are a really close family and we haven’t been able to speak with her directly for 21 months. We have been receiving regular updates about how she is going through her lawyers and consular staff.
“Our Mum shouldn’t be treated as a criminal when she is the victim of a romance scam herself. She believed she was finally meeting a man who she had been speaking with online for over 18 months.
“We have heard from other heartbroken families worldwide who have had loved ones caught up in similar scams.
“As her trial starts we want to make sure the world, particularly all Australians, are watching her case. We are grateful to the Australian Government and the staff from the Australian Embassy in Japan for all of the support they have provided our family,” she said.
Jennifer Robinson met with Donna Nelson’s daughters Ashlee, Shontaye and Kristal last week as the family prepares for the upcoming trial.
‘We are deeply concerned about how Donna Nelson’s case has been handled by the Japanese authorities. The conditions of her pre-trial detention, including being prohibited from communicating with her family, have caused Donna and her family great distress,” Ms Robinson said.
“We pay tribute to Donna’s daughters for the work they have done supporting and advocating for their Mum in incredibly difficult circumstances. We are pleased to be able to support them in this effort and will be closely monitoring to the conduct of her trial to ensure that Donna’s rights are respected,” she said.
Donna Nelson has been detained since January 2023 after she was arrested for allegedly attempting to import drugs into Japan, having been the victim of a romance scam. The trial will run for two weeks and a judgment is expected in December 2024. Ms Nelson is being represented at the trial by Japanese lawyer Rie Nishida.
Media Coverage
- Grandmother Donna Nelson’s trial begins in Japan
Australian Associated Press, 18 November 2024 - Detained Australian woman Donna Nelson ‘romance scam’ drug smuggling trial to begin in Japan
ABC News, 17 November 2024 - Donna Nelson’s daughters arrive in Japan ahead of Australian grandmother’s long-awaited trial
9 News, 17 November 2024 - Family of Aussie grandmother Donna Nelson charged with drug trafficking pleads for fair trial
7 News, 17 November 2024 - Donna Nelson finally to face trial in Japan
The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 November 2024 - Trial date set for WA grandmother detained in Japan over 2kg meth haul
WA Today - Donna Nelson learns when she will front court in Japan
7 News
