Ecce Dude.
Posted on 12/25/2004 1:27:42 AM PST by flitton
A Hollywood actor jailed two years ago in Pakistan for possessing opium has been released. Erik Anthony Aude, 24, from California, was freed on Thursday from a jail in Rawalpindi, prison officials said.
He had been arrested at Islamabad airport in February 2002 trying to leave for Dubai and was later sentenced to seven years in jail.
Aude, who had a role in the film Dude, Where's My Car?, said he had no idea the drugs were in his luggage.
His release followed an appeal by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
The governor's spokesman, Billy Sparks, told the AFP news agency: "Erik Aude's mother called me to say her son had been released earlier today (Thursday) and to thank Governor Richardson."
'Miscarriage'
Aude was found to be carrying 3.6kg of opium in his suitcase but has always protested his innocence. He was convicted in January 2003.
An official at the Adiyala jail in Rawalpindi, said: "We received a new order from a court about his release and we freed him."
It is not clear whether Aude has yet left Pakistan.
Governor Richardson said he had intervened in a case that was "truly a miscarriage of justice".
He had appealed to Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz after meeting Aude's mother.
"I am especially happy for Erik's mother. Her nightmare is over and her son is coming home for Christmas," Governor Richardson said.
Ecce Dude.
Right, I believe that. Another liberal meets the real world.
How the bloody hell can a person not be aware that there's over a POUND of China White opium in their luggage? This isn't some kid fresh back from Amsterdam with a couple of joints tucked into his underwear, if he were in the states he'd be looking at at least a 10 year sentence.
More like eight pounds. Maybe he went to the Karachi Sam's Club.
Hmm... it's more Dude where's my common sense
Dude, Where's My Mule?
LOL
Aude, Where's My Dope?
That makes us even.
Who?
I suppose the article should say 'bit part actor' in reality.
"A great way to learn the language".
Funniest picture caption of the year!!
Is he trying to find another 3.6 kilos, to pay his lawers fees?
Yes, in the same way that if you see the Evening Standard billboards say 'famous actor dies' you can rest assured that someone who once appeared in Z Cars and then disappeared without trace has finally bought it.
OK, OK. I do remember it, a little bit (I'm only 39). But, hardly anyone here will...
We should have negotiated a trade for Alec Baldwin.
Man, we just can't seem to get rid of him!
Clearly the relevant diplomat fumbled the ball in a John Kerry like sporting manoeuvre.
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