poledriver
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2005
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Australians face death penalty in China after drug arrests
SEVERAL Australians are facing possible the death penalty in China after being arrested for drug smuggling.
Government sources will not reveal how many people are involved but say there appears to be a pattern of Australians being caught carrying ‘’significant quantities’’.
“Since late last year, several Australians have been arrested,’’ the source said.
The cases have concerned Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade so much that officials today issued a specific warning on the Smartraveller.gov.au website.
“Chinese laws mandate an immediate death sentence for serious drugs offences,’’ the source said.
“A number of foreigners have been arrested for allegedly trafficking illegal drugs. China has executed a number of people, including foreigners.’’
While no Australians have yet been executed, several are currently on charges awaiting trial. If convicted, ‘’it is conceivable’’ they would face the death penalty. Other foreign nationals have.
A government spokesman said all of the arrested Australians had been offered consular assistance and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had been briefed.
The Australian Government is opposed in principle to capital punishment, but the source warned it was powerless to override or intervene in the judicial processes of other countries including China.
“There is very little scope for individuals convicted of serious drug offences to appeal for clemency or a pardon,’’ said the source.
The updated travel advice cautions people against carrying luggage or parcels in or out of China for others.
While there appeared to be a pattern of behaviour in the cases involving Australians, sources will not speculate on whether it involved a smuggling syndicate or if people were duped into being couriers.
Cont -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/tr...055148859?nk=31bfa4c7f4fbdf752a57454d30290eb0
SEVERAL Australians are facing possible the death penalty in China after being arrested for drug smuggling.
Government sources will not reveal how many people are involved but say there appears to be a pattern of Australians being caught carrying ‘’significant quantities’’.
“Since late last year, several Australians have been arrested,’’ the source said.
The cases have concerned Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade so much that officials today issued a specific warning on the Smartraveller.gov.au website.
“Chinese laws mandate an immediate death sentence for serious drugs offences,’’ the source said.
“A number of foreigners have been arrested for allegedly trafficking illegal drugs. China has executed a number of people, including foreigners.’’
While no Australians have yet been executed, several are currently on charges awaiting trial. If convicted, ‘’it is conceivable’’ they would face the death penalty. Other foreign nationals have.
A government spokesman said all of the arrested Australians had been offered consular assistance and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had been briefed.
The Australian Government is opposed in principle to capital punishment, but the source warned it was powerless to override or intervene in the judicial processes of other countries including China.
“There is very little scope for individuals convicted of serious drug offences to appeal for clemency or a pardon,’’ said the source.
The updated travel advice cautions people against carrying luggage or parcels in or out of China for others.
While there appeared to be a pattern of behaviour in the cases involving Australians, sources will not speculate on whether it involved a smuggling syndicate or if people were duped into being couriers.
Cont -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/tr...055148859?nk=31bfa4c7f4fbdf752a57454d30290eb0
