Chinese National Denied Appeal On His Wildlife Trafficking Sentence

The High Court has rejected an appeal by a Chinese national Lin Yu Hua who was seeking a review of his sentence.

Yun Hua was sentenced to 14 year’s by (Lilongwe) Magistrate Court for trafficking wildlife.

It is reported that Lin did not seek leave of the High Court and he appealed at the Supreme Court where he was sent back to the Hight Court to follow the required procedure.

According to the Senior State Advocate and Public Prosecutions, Mathew’s Chione, the High Court rejected the appeal on grounds that he made the appeal out of time.

Chione noted that Lin was supposed to file an appeal within 30 days from the day of the sentence. He however, filed after 13 months.

He added that, Judge Anabel Mtalimanja has since ruled that the case is Functus Officio as he cannot appeal further, as the matter was already dealt with at the High Court.

Chione, however said Lin is at liberty to appeal to the Supreme Court on current judgment of his appeals dismissal within 30 days.

Lin, alongside his wife and a Malawian National were arrested in August, 2019.