MANILA - A member of the European Parliament has given his support to detained Sen. Leila de Lima and condemned the government's "political persecution" of the critics of its anti-narcotics campaign.
In a letter dated May 24, 2018, Czech politician Tomáš Zdechovský said De Lima's case "personally touched" him.
"Your case has personally touched me. Given the experience of my grandfather from a concentration camp, I am able to imagine what you and your family are going through," he said.
"Dear Senator, please accept the assurance of my highest consideration and esteem."
Letter of European Parliament member Tomáš Zdechovský to detained Senator Leila de Lima. Office of Senator Leila De Lima
Zdechovský also expressed concern on De Lima's incarceration for almost a year and a half over drug-related charges.
"I have been informed that the President and the government regularly criticize the U.N. (United Nations) experts and keep targeting domestic critics of the current system," he said.
"I hope that, thanks to the increasing pressure of the E.U. (European Union), we will be able to force the government to stop the political persecution of critics of the war on drugs. Me and my colleagues condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, arbitrary detention and convictions against these persons as much as I can."
De Lima's camp said it may appeal her narcotics-related case for the second time after the Supreme Court upheld her arrest earlier this month.
The senator, a fierce critic of the administration's anti-narcotics drive, has rejected the drug allegations against her, saying these were politically motivated.
She is not entitled to bail and, if found guilty, faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.