JAKARTA LIFE'S STYLE

An Indonesian court on Monday finished reviewing an appeal by an Australian drug smuggler against his death sentence and will pass its recommendations to the country’s highest court. Scott Rush, a 24-year-old member of the so-called Bali Nine gang, is appealing his death sentence for a 2005 attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilogrammes (18.3 pounds) of heroin to Australia from the Indonesian resort island.

Chief judge Putu Suika told the Denpasar district court in Bali that the recommendations would be passed to the supreme court in Jakarta, which would pass sentence. “We will not announce the judges’ recommendations as we will send them along with other documents,” he said without giving a date for the verdict.

Rush’s lawyer, Frans Winarta, said he hoped that testimonies by witnesses, including two top Australian police officers, would help secure a lighter sentence. They told the court last month that Rush was only a courier.

“There are several things which will become considerations for the supreme court to annul his death sentence,” he told reporters, adding that Rush was still young and had no previous convictions.

If Rush’s appeal is rejected his only hope would be a direct appeal for clemency to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The president has previously shown little mercy to death row drug convicts, although he regularly reduces sentences for corrupt officials.

Rush was not present at Monday’s session but apologised in court in late August and begged for forgiveness. Two other Bali Nine members, Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, have also launched appeals against their death sentences.

Five others — Martin Stephens, Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj and Thanh Nguyen — are serving life sentences. Renae Lawrence, the only woman in the group, received 20 years but has had her sentence reduced by almost two years for good behaviour.

The review comes as another Australian was arrested last Friday with 1.7 kilograms (3.4 pounds) of methamphetamine at Bali International Airport, according to police and customs officials. Michael Sacatides told officials he had been given a bag by an Indian friend in Bangkok and had no idea it contained drugs, according to investigators.

KOMPAS

RELATED TOPIC :
Peta Pengalihan Lalu Lintas Hari Ini

George Aditjondro dan Pihak Penentang Disarankan Bertemu
State Budget Heading for Recovery
Gramedia Tidak Jual Buku Gurita Cikeas
1.000 Facebooker Dukung Grup 'Gurita Cikeas'
Bangunan Roboh di Tanah Abang, Data Terbaru: 4 Tewas, 13 Luka
Prospek BUMN 2010 Sedikit Lebih Bagus
Supporters collect Rp 650 million in coins for Prita
Photos of Tiger Woods Naked Taken by Model Jaime Jungers
Saat Natal, Inilah 10 Tempat Paling Top di Dunia Wajib Dikunjungi
Century Case Not Only About Mulyani-Boediono
DPR Putuskan Saksi Century Agar Nonaktif
Inquiry committee to summon Boediono, Sri Mulyani
Indonesia to Issue US$18.5 Bn Bonds in 2010 Update: Coins Collected for Prita Rp 446 Mn President cancels meeting with team of nine
Could Sri Mulyani be Trapped with The Recording Evidence? Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani: Golkar Doesn't Have to be Nice to Me
Thousands gather in Indonesian anti-graft rallies
Indonesia police to deploy thousands for anti-graft protest

http://jakartalifesstyle.blogspot.com/

Iklan Kerja Online

CHOICES YOUR DREAMS, WANTS AND NEEDS

www.video2be.com

First of all, thank you for visiting this page.

This website is a non commercial website and therefore is not designed to gain profit. Running cost, however, has became my limitation in improving the site.If you like this website, you can help to make it better, click DONATE logo below:Any amount of donation would be very important to the future of this site. Thank you for your help and support.