France – France 24, Feb. 03, 2026

A Malaysian court on Tuesday acquitted 34-year-old French national Tom Félix on eight drug-related charges. The Veolia executive spent nearly two and a half years behind bars.

A French national facing a possible death penalty in Malaysia on eight drug-related charges was acquitted Tuesday, freeing him after nearly two and a half years in detention.

The High Court in the northern city of Alor Setar ruled that prosecutors failed to prove that Tom Félix, 34, had control, custody or possession of the drugs in the case.

“The accused is, therefore, released and acquitted,” Alor Setar High Court judge Evawani Farisyta Mohammad said.

Félix, in court wearing a white shirt and trousers, his hands cuffed, looked visibly pleased as the judge delivered the decision.

The former Veolia executive appeared to have lost a considerable amount of weight since his arrest, his parents said.