54-year-old Australian mother of four, Maria Exposto, faces a mandatory death sentence for trafficking illicit drugs.

The Sydney-based woman has been accused of drug trafficking after she was arrested in October 2014 in Kuala Lumpur with 1kg methamphetamine in her luggage.

Peter Morrissey, lawyer to Bali Nine members Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, says it’s a very sad predicament.

“If Exposto loses, they will try patiently to persuade the courts on the appeal level.”

Mr Morrissey says there may be hope if she’s found guilty as Malaysia is abolishing the mandatory death sentence.

“Malaysia is cutting back on their execution rates. They’re having a debate over there about when it should be used.

“They’ve just abolished the mandatory death penalty but that hasn’t come into law yet.”

Click PLAY below for the details