A man who has been locked up in an Indonesian jail since August last year has been told he must stay in prison until an appeal against his release is heard.
Mathew Davies, 25, of Blackwood, was imprisoned under immigration law after an IT job he secured overseas fell through.
The computer worker has been given a six month prison sentence for visa irregularities, meaning he is due to be released soon, but prosecutors are appealing to extend the sentence.
South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle has called for the appeal to be heard as soon as possible.
Writing to the UK Ambassador in Jakarta he said: “It must have been shattering for Mathew and his family to learn that the prosecutors in Indonesia were appealing against the six month sentence.
“I would urge the prosecutors to make their appeal as quickly as possible so that a decision can be made because Matthew is in limbo at the moment, not knowing when he will be back home in Wales. It must be very tough and I do feel for him.”
Rebecca Razavi, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Jakarta, said: “Mathew will remain in Cipinang prison until the decision on the appeal has been made.
“Please be assured that the British Embassy continues to provide consular support for Mr Davies and his family at this difficult time.”
Cipinang prison is notorious for housing corrupt politicians and recently made the headlines when a crystal meth factory was found to be operating out of it, run by prison guards as well as inmates.