Tom Félix Returns to France After 909‑Day Malaysian Detention and Acquittal
Updated (3 articles)
Acquittal and Release Confirmed by Malaysian High Court On 5 February 2026 the Alor Setar High Criminal Court ruled that prosecutors failed to prove guilt, formally acquitting Tom Félix and ordering his immediate release [1][2]. The judge’s decision cleared him after a 909‑day (over 2½‑year) detention that began in August 2023. Félix’s lawyer Blandine Gentil called the verdict a “marvel” after a protracted trial marked by repeated postponements.
Detention Spanned Over 900 Days, Ending with Flight to Paris Félix departed Kuala Lumpur on Malaysian Airlines flight at 23:45 local time on 4 February and landed at Paris‑Charles de Gaulle early Thursday morning; Le Monde reported arrival at 06:30 local time while another account listed 06:40 [1][2]. Family members greeted him at Roissy‑Charles de Gaulle, and his mother described him as “very tired” and in need of care. The flight concluded a detention period that would have exposed him to the death penalty or up to 104 years imprisonment had he been convicted.
Arrest Originated from August 2023 Cannabis Seizure in Langkawi Malaysian police stopped Félix on 9 August 2023 in a house he shared on Langkawi, discovering several hundred grams of cannabis in common areas [1][2]. He was charged with possession and trafficking, offenses that under Malaysian law can carry capital punishment, up to 104 years imprisonment, 54 canings and a €27,000 fine. The prosecution’s case collapsed due to insufficient evidence, leading to his acquittal.
Personal Background and Post‑Release Concerns Highlighted Prior to his arrest Félix worked as a manager for French utility group Veolia and was planning to open a restaurant on Langkawi [2]. His mother noted a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in Singapore in May 2025, underscoring the diplomatic attention his case attracted [1]. She urged that he receive medical and psychological support after the ordeal, while Félix expressed relief, saying he was “happy to be out.”
Sources
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1.
Le Monde: Tom Félix returns to France after 909‑day Malaysian detention: details his 06:30 arrival, mother’s meeting with Macron, lawyer’s praise, and emphasizes his exhausted condition post‑release .
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2.
Le Monde: Tom Félix Returns to France After Malaysian Acquittal: focuses on the 23:45 departure, Veolia background, potential penalties, and family’s relief narrative .
Timeline
2018 – Malaysia has not carried out any executions since 2018, underscoring the stark but largely symbolic threat of the death penalty for drug trafficking cases referenced in later trials [2].
Aug 9, 2023 – Malaysian police stop Tom Félix in Langkawi, discover several hundred grams of cannabis in the shared house, and charge him with possession and trafficking, initiating a detention that will last over two and a half years [2][3].
2024 – A federal jury convicts former DEA agent Bongiovanni on four counts—including obstruction of justice, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and false statements—while acquitting him of the most serious bribery allegation [1].
May 2025 – Sylvie Félix meets President Emmanuel Macron in Singapore to discuss her son’s case, describing his condition as “very tired” and urging that he receive proper care and rehabilitation [2].
Jan 21, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo sentences ex‑DEA agent Bongiovanni to five years in federal prison, noting the sentence will be a hardship for someone who has never been incarcerated and reflecting the mixed verdicts of the trial [1].
Feb 4, 2026 – Tom Félix departs Kuala Lumpur on a Malaysian Airlines flight for Paris, ending more than 900 days of detention after the Alor Setar High Court acquits him for lack of evidence [3].
Feb 5, 2026 – Tom Félix lands at Paris Charles‑de‑Gaulle, greeted by family; his lawyer Blandine Gentil calls the verdict a “marvel,” Félix says he is “happy to be out,” and his mother declares the decision “the end of a nightmare” [2][3].