Tokyo, Japan – The family of Donna Nelson, a 58-year-old grandmother from Western Australia, is fiercely defending her against serious drug trafficking allegations after her arrest in Tokyo earlier this year. The charges against her stem from an alleged attempt to import illegal drugs into Japan in January 2023. However, Nelson’s family maintains that she is a victim, not a criminal, claiming she was duped in a romance scam.
Nelson’s trial began on November 18, 2024, at the Chiba District Court, where prosecutors accuse her of attempting to smuggle drugs into Japan. However, her family argues she was manipulated by a fraudulent online relationship and is wrongfully imprisoned.
A Victim of Fraud
According to Nelson’s relatives, she was targeted by a romance scam that lured her into unknowingly becoming involved in the illegal activities. Her family asserts that she is not involved in drug trafficking and is, in fact, a victim of crime. They expressed their concern for her well-being and criticized the harsh prison conditions she has endured while awaiting her trial.
“Mum is the victim of a romance scam – she is the victim of crime, not a criminal,” the family said in a statement released before the trial. They also expressed their distress over strict communication rules that have limited their contact with Nelson. Her daughter, Kristal Hilaire, who flew to Japan to attend a pre-trial hearing in July, was barred from speaking to her mother during the visit.
“We are really concerned about our Mum, her mental and physical health and the prison conditions she is being held in,” the family continued. “Our Mum is such a social person, so it has been hard to think of her isolated in a cell each day in a country where she doesn’t know the language.”
Who Is Donna Nelson?
Nelson is a well-known figure in Western Australia, having worked as a community leader and former WA Greens candidate. She has also held the position of chair of Derbarl Yerrigan, a Perth-based Aboriginal health service. Her family describes her as a compassionate and social individual, which makes her current situation all the more difficult for them to comprehend.
The family has called for global attention to their mother’s case, asking the world to understand that Nelson is a victim, not a criminal. They place their faith in the Japanese criminal justice system and hope that the court will recognize the circumstances of her case.
“We hope that the judge will be able to see the case for what it is – that our mum is the victim of a crime, not a criminal,” they said.
Legal Support and Human Rights Advocacy
Nelson’s case has garnered attention from prominent human rights advocates. Jennifer Robinson, a well-known human rights barrister, has joined forces with the National Justice Project to assist the family and ensure that justice is served.
“We’re working closely with the family and their legal team to ensure that Donna’s rights are respected throughout this process,” Robinson stated. “We will continue to advocate for her, especially given the human rights concerns surrounding Japan’s criminal justice system.”
Japan’s Strict Criminal Justice System
Japan’s criminal justice system has been widely criticized for its high conviction rate, which Human Rights Watch reported as 99.8% in 2023 for cases that go to trial. This has raised concerns about the fairness of trials and the conditions faced by defendants, especially foreign nationals like Nelson.
Her family remains hopeful that the Japanese courts will see the case for what it is and deliver a fair verdict. They also expressed gratitude for the support of the Australian embassy in Japan, which has provided updates and assistance throughout the legal proceedings.
What Happens Next?
The verdict in Donna Nelson’s trial is expected on December 4, 2024. Until then, her family remains hopeful that justice will prevail, and that their mother will be able to return home, clear of the serious charges.