Boy in Bali drug case wins minister's support
Source: Agencies |
October 8, 2011, Saturday
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AUSTRALIA'S foreign minister has said he will do everything possible to secure the return of a 14-year-old boy accused of possessing marijuana while on a family vacation in Indonesia.
The boy has been held at Denpasar police headquarters on the tourist island of Bali since he was arrested on Tuesday, allegedly after buying a small quantity of marijuana from a man on Kuta Beach.
His lawyer, Muhammad Rifan, said the boy faces a maximum sentence of six years in an adult prison if convicted of possessing a quarter of an ounce (7 grams) of marijuana, which under Indonesian law is treated the same as heroin or cocaine.
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said his job was to "do everything possible to get this little bloke home." However, he noted it could take some time, saying "there are real challenges that we face here, and I think we have all got to be patient."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the boy's incarceration as "an incredibly distressing circumstance." She said the boy was being held apart from other prisoners.
The boy, from Morrisset Park, north of Sydney, was on holiday with his parents when he was arrested. The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper said he told police he bought the marijuana because he felt sorry for the dealer, who said he had not eaten for a day.
Rudd said the boy's parents had taken turns staying with their son at the police jail.
Rifan said the boy was angry, crying and depressed in custody. He can be held for 30 days without charge.
He said police broke Indonesian rules for dealing with child suspects by not allowing the boy's parents to be present during his interview.
The boy has been held at Denpasar police headquarters on the tourist island of Bali since he was arrested on Tuesday, allegedly after buying a small quantity of marijuana from a man on Kuta Beach.
His lawyer, Muhammad Rifan, said the boy faces a maximum sentence of six years in an adult prison if convicted of possessing a quarter of an ounce (7 grams) of marijuana, which under Indonesian law is treated the same as heroin or cocaine.
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said his job was to "do everything possible to get this little bloke home." However, he noted it could take some time, saying "there are real challenges that we face here, and I think we have all got to be patient."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the boy's incarceration as "an incredibly distressing circumstance." She said the boy was being held apart from other prisoners.
The boy, from Morrisset Park, north of Sydney, was on holiday with his parents when he was arrested. The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper said he told police he bought the marijuana because he felt sorry for the dealer, who said he had not eaten for a day.
Rudd said the boy's parents had taken turns staying with their son at the police jail.
Rifan said the boy was angry, crying and depressed in custody. He can be held for 30 days without charge.
He said police broke Indonesian rules for dealing with child suspects by not allowing the boy's parents to be present during his interview.
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