04/12/2002 22:21 - (SA) Vera Schoeman
Port Elizabeth - Former Eastern Cape beauty Vanessa Goosen is not among the 98 foreigners in Thai prisons who have been granted their freedom as part of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 75th birthday celebration.
Goosen's attorney, Mpumelelo (Bond) Nyoka on Wednesday said he immediately spoke to the Thai embassy upon hearing about the amnesty. "I could cry when I heard she would not be freed," he said. "I am very worried about her and keep praying for a miracle."
There are no South Africans among the 89 foreigners - mostly Africans and Asians locked up on minor charges - who were released along with 5 623 Thais on the eve of the king's birthday.
Goosen, a former Miss SA finalist whose family lives in Cradock, was arrested on the Bangkok Airport in 1994 with 2.7kg heroin in her possession. She was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
At the time she was seven months pregnant, and her daughter Felicia was born in prison. A friend in Johannesburg is raising the child.
Goosen pleaded not guilty at the time. If she pleaded guilty, and was convicted, she could have received a death sentence.
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