British Grannny Sentenced to Death in Bali Drug Smuggle

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Prosecutors thought 15-years in an Indonesian prison was appropriate for a elderly British woman caught smuggling 8.4 pounds of cocaine in her suitcase last year, but Indonesian court officials disagreed and sentenced Lindsay June Sandiford to death today.

The 56-year-old said threats of harm to her children by a gang forced her to smuggle the cocaine, reportedly worth $2.5 million. Her co-conspirator is currently awaiting trial for his role in the drug smuggling.

Attorney's for Sandiford have vowed to appeal the sentence, which gives the defendant some hope since appeals take several years.   Read Full Story

According to wikipedia.com, capital punishment in the Asian nation is rare. As of this month, approximately 75 Indonesians and 40 foreigners being detained in Indonesian jails have been sentenced to death. The last death sentence handed down by Indonesian court officials was carried out in June 2008 when two Nigerian nationals were executed for drug trafficking. The Asian nation executed ten prisoners in 2008.

Indonesia is located in Asia near Singapore, the Christmas Island and Malaysia. 

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