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2 Aussies jailed for life
13/02/2006 10:30 - (SA)
Denpasar - An Indonesian court jailed two Australians for life on Monday in a high-profile heroin trial, ignoring a request for leniency from prosecutors for one of the defendants because of her co-operation in the case.
Prosecutors had sought a 20 year sentence for Renae Lawrence, the only female among nine young Australians caught last April for trying to smuggle more than 8.2kg of heroin from the resort island of Bali to Australia.
After her verdict was handed down, another member of the group, Scott Rush, was given the same sentence, in line with prosecution demands.
The rest of the verdicts are expected this week, including those for two men whom prosecutors want executed over accusations they masterminded the operation.
In its ruling, the Denpasar District Court said Lawrence's good behaviour and co-operation was no different to several other defendants.
"Their roles in this case are almost the same," Judge I Gusti Ngurah Astawa told the court.
"Shocked"
Lawrence, 28, from the city of Newcastle, stared at the courtroom floor and shook her head after the verdict was translated for her. One of her lawyers said she was "shocked" by the decision.
Rush, 20, is from Brisbane.
Both were caught at Bali's international airport with packages of heroin taped to their bodies as they prepared to board a flight to Sydney.
All members of the group, dubbed the "Bali Nine" by Australian media, have faced charges that carry the maximum penalty of death by firing squad.
Lawrence was the only member for whom the demand was less than life.
Prosecutors said they sought a more lenient term because she was helpful in giving statements during the investigation that helped authorities uncover evidence about the operation.
Strong recommendation
Under Indonesian law, a prosecution demand is non-binding for judges, but is seen as a strong recommendation.
Any death penalties handed down could affect Indonesia's ties with Australia, which has abolished the death penalty.
Indonesian police have vowed to crack down on illegal drugs in Bali, which they say has become a hub for international narcotics distribution.
Indonesian courts have delivered a string of tough sentences against foreigners over drugs charges. They include Australian woman Schapelle Corby, who was jailed for 20 years last May after being found guilty of smuggling marijuana.
- Reuters
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