I have little sympathy for the guy. This much is true. I really don't.
The guy went to a foreign country known for its harsh hand at criminal justice and he showed his ass. That's his fault. Nobody else's. Does he "deserve" 15 years hard labor? Like I said, no.
Was he an idiot who has created an international diplomatic mess? Yup!
he deserves punishment, not 15 years, but theft of any kind, no matter how cute and jovial the circumstances may be perceived by the perpetrator, is still theft.
He acted without any thought as to the consequences. This is his fault. Nobody else's.
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