Czech model imprisoned in Pakistan over drugs acquitted

Czech model sentenced to over eight years in prison for drug trafficking in Pakistan in 2019 has been acquitted, the Czech foreign ministry said on Monday, citing her lawyer.

Tereza Hluskova, 25, was arrested at the airport in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore for trafficking nine kilogrammes of heroin in January 2018.

Footage released by Pakistani customs officials showed authorities uncovering drugs hidden in her suitcase as she was trying to board a flight headed for an another foreign country.

Tereza Hluskova weeps after the court decision in Lahore. File / AFP

Hluskova, who was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison and a fine in March 2019, has insisted someone had placed the drugs in her suitcase.

She filed an appeal in April 2019.

"Based on information from (her) lawyer, we can confirm a court of appeals has decided to acquit the Czech national in Pakistan," the foreign ministry said in a tweet.

"A release from prison should follow within days after the verdict has been processed," it added.