kate2006

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Judges defend sentences on Bali smugglers

Date: December 28 2006


Lindsay Murdoch in Jakarta

THREE judges of Indonesia's Supreme Court yesterday released their reasons for ordering the execution of the Bali drug courier Scott Rush, which include that his crime was "damaging to Indonesia and other countries".

The judges said lower courts in Bali had "erroneously applied the law" and that a large amount of heroin was involved.

In September the court imposed death sentences on Rush, 20, Tan Duc Than Nguyen, 23, Si Yi Chen, 21, and Matthew Norman, 19.

The court had rejected their appeals for lighter jail terms and ordered their execution. Although reasons have not yet been released for ordering the executions of Nguyen, Chen and Norman, they are likely to be the same as for Rush.

The judges said Rush was "proven legally and convincingly guilty" for committing organised crime.

The Supreme Court earlier confirmed death sentences on Myuran Sukumaran, 25, and Andrew Chan, 22. Only Renae Lawrence is certain not to face execution as she accepted her 20-year sentence and did not appeal.

Verdicts in the appeals by Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj are pending.

Rush's Australian lawyer Bob Meyers confirmed last night that Rush would seek a judicial review.


Does anyone know when the appeals by Michael Czugaj and Martin Stephens are due to be handed down? I thought the sentences handed down in September 2006 were the result of their final appeals.