The family of an Australian mother-of-five serving a lengthy prison sentence in Taiwan has shared harrowing new details of her life behind bars, painting a picture of a strict regime, overcrowded conditions, and a desperate fight for justice.
A Harsh Sentence and a Plea to Avoid Death
Debbie Voulgaris, 58, is currently serving a 15-year sentence in a Taiwanese prison after being convicted of drug smuggling. The case dates back to December 2023, when she was arrested at Taoyuan International Airport. Authorities found heroin and cocaine worth an estimated $1.9 million (USD) in her suitcase.
Voulgaris, who had no prior criminal record, has consistently denied any knowledge of the drugs. She maintains she was set up by an African scam syndicate while doing a favour for her ex-husband, John Kyriacou. Faced with the prospect of the death penalty for drug trafficking in Taiwan, she ultimately entered a guilty plea, a decision her family says was made solely under that dire threat.
Life in an Overcrowded Cell: Punishments and Deteriorating Health
Her daughter, Maria, 26, has spoken publicly about the brutal reality of her mother's incarceration. She describes a tiny, overcrowded cell where Voulgaris sleeps on the floor alongside 16 other women. The regime is strict, with severe punishments for minor infractions.
"My poor mother woke up one day and walked across her cell without putting her slippers on and was made to write out her name 2,000 times in Taiwanese," Maria told the Daily Mail. Another time, her mother was punished for accidentally putting her shirt on inside out while rushing after a shower.
This constant fear of breaking obscure rules has taken a severe toll, both mentally and physically. Maria reports that her once healthy and bubbly mother now suffers from multiple health issues. Prolonged cell confinement led to blood clots in her legs which spread to her hip, and she has developed heart problems. Her appearance has drastically changed; her hair has turned grey and thinned, leaving her family shocked during rare video calls.
A Family Torn Apart and a Legal Battle Filled with Obstacles
The ordeal has shattered the Voulgaris family, who have cancelled festive celebrations in solidarity with their imprisoned mother. Maria has shouldered the burden of fighting the legal case, a daunting task in a foreign system. She has sold belongings at weekend markets to pay for lawyers and spends sleepless nights researching.
The legal process has been fraught with frustration and setbacks. Multiple appeals have been rejected, including one that was dismissed before even being heard. A crucial complication is the absence of testimony from her ex-husband, John Kyriacou. The court issued a subpoena for him to appear as a witness in August, but he did not attend, despite authorities confirming he received the documents. His lawyer suggested extradition would be difficult as he is an Australian citizen in Melbourne.
Kyriacou has previously stated he and his ex-wife were set up by business associates while trying to make an overseas investment. He is not accused of any illegal activity.
The family now faces a agonising dilemma: further appeals carry the risk of their mother being placed on death row, but they refuse to abandon her. They are pinning their hopes on an extraordinary appeal and greater support from Australian authorities.
"The reality is they need to hold someone accountable and no one is taking accountability," Maria said, "and my mother is facing the consequences of someone else's sentence."
