The trial of Antony de Malmanche (left, with lawyer Craig Tuck) is expected to run for at least six months.
Family of accused Kiwi drug mule Antony de Malmanche fear his fight for life will be stymied by a lack of funds.
The 52-year-old faces death by firing squad for drug trafficking after being busted carrying 1.7kg of methamphetamine into Bali last December.
The Whanganui man says he is the
innocent victim of an elaborate scheme and that drugs were placed in his bag while en route to meet his internet girlfriend, "Jessie". His trial in Indonesia began this week and is expected to run for at least six months as his hearing operates only one day a week.
A Givealittle page, called the Antony de Malmanche Legal Fund, started by de Malmanche's family after his arrest, has raised less than $15,000, but the campaign to free him could top $120,000.
"The situation is urgent," family spokesman James Bellamy told the Herald on Sunday. "The family are a long way short of what they need and are under huge financial pressure. Money is close to running out."
