The trial of Mariia Peresolkina, a 28-year-old Ukrainian, resumed on September 17, 2026, at the Mauritius Assizes Court. Peresolkina is accused of importing drugs with intent to traffic. The prosecution, led by Me Ida Dhooky-Rambarrun, presented several WhatsApp messages exchanged between Peresolkina and John Mick Martingale as crucial evidence. The messages allegedly show that Peresolkina and Martingale communicated in code about the transportation of substances.
According to the prosecution, one message from Peresolkina to Martingale read: "Part of my work is to take some from Brussels to Mauritus." Peresolkina claimed that she was referring to money and that it was just her way of expressing herself. The prosecution, however, argued that the term "some" was a coded reference to the drugs. Martingale had also sent Peresolkina messages saying: "I am not stupid" and "You can inspect if you do not trust me," which the prosecution claimed were coded messages related to the transportation of narcotics.
Peresolkina maintained that she was unaware of the drugs in the two bottles and that Martingale had tricked her. She claimed that Martingale had given her the bottles, which he said contained alcohol, and asked her to take them, citing lack of space in his luggage. Peresolkina stated that she had no way of checking the contents of the bottles and that she had only realized something was wrong when she smelled the liquid during customs inspection.
The prosecution presented a different account of events, citing the testimony of a customs officer who claimed that Peresolkina seemed anxious when the bottles were opened. The officer also stated that the plastic wrapping of the bottles appeared to have been tampered with. Peresolkina countered that the bottles had seemed intact when she received them and that the tampering was only noticeable upon close inspection.
The prosecution highlighted Peresolkina's background, noting that she had studied computer security and had traveled extensively. Me Dhooky-Rambarrun argued that Peresolkina could not reasonably have been unaware of the contents of the bottles and that she had been attracted by the prospect of easy gain. Peresolkina maintained her innocence, stating that she had been deceived by Martingale.
The trial heard that Martingale had been arrested along with Peresolkina and had been found hanged in his cell in September 2024. The circumstances of his death are the subject of a separate judicial inquiry. Peresolkina's friend, Olena Levina, who was also implicated, has had her charges provisionally dismissed by the DPP.
The judge, Iqbal Maghooa, has set the date for closing arguments as November 12, 2026. Peresolkina remains charged with importing drugs with intent to traffic.
Key points
- The prosecution presented WhatsApp messages as key evidence in the trial of Mariia Peresolkina.
- Peresolkina maintains her innocence, claiming she was unaware of the drugs in the bottles.
- The trial will continue with closing arguments on November 12, 2026.
