British Grandmother Sentenced to Death for Trying to Smuggle Cocaine Into Indonesia - Polidicks

[QUOTE]BALI, Indonesia -- An Indonesian court sentenced a British grandmother to death on Tuesday for smuggling cocaine worth $2.5 million in her suitcase onto the resort island of Bali – even though prosecutors had sought only a 15-year sentence. Lindsay June Sandiford, 56, wept when judges handed down the sentence and declined to speak to reporters on her way back to prison, covering her face with a floral scarf. She had claimed in court that she was forced to take the drugs into the country by a gang that was threatening to hurt her children. Indonesia, like many Asian countries, is very strict on drug crimes, and most of the more than 40 foreigners on its death row were convicted of drug charges. Sandiford's lawyer said she would appeal, a process that can take several years. Condemned criminals face a firing squad in Indonesia, which has not carried out an execution since 2008, when 10 people were put to death. A verdict is expected in the trial of Sandiford's alleged accomplice, Briton Julian Anthony Pounder, next Tuesday. He is accused of receiving the drugs in Bali, which has a busy bar and nightclub scene where party drugs such as cocaine and Ecstasy are bought and sold between foreigners. Two other British citizens and an Indian have already been convicted and sentenced to prison in connection with the bust. In London, British Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire told lawmakers Wednesday that the government strongly opposes Sandiford's sentence. "We strongly object to the death penalty and continue to provide consular assistance to Lindsay and her family during this difficult time," he said.[/QUOTE] SOURCE: [URL]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/22/lindsay-sandiford-sentenced_n_2524936.html[/URL] Honestly, giving the death penalty for trafficking drugs just seems barbaric and extremely undeserving of it.

Fuck Indonesia anyways.

This is the most ridiculous thing to hand out death penalties for.

I feel sorry for her but still, that's the law and that's the punishment. If a foreigner committed a crime in Britain and was sentenced for it, we wouldn't be lenient just because it's less of a crime in their country

[QUOTE=matt.ant;39317554]I feel sorry for her but still, that's the law and that's the punishment. If a foreigner committed a crime in Britain and was sentenced for it, we wouldn't be lenient just because it's less of a crime in their country[/QUOTE] You do realise these people are usually forced to do it right?

She is 56, which is hardly old or elderly as the title is trying to suggest and what does her being a grandmother have anything to do with the news? Yeah the death penalty is harsh, but a lot of countries have really harsh sentences for drug smuggling. And this wasn't a dime bag or arrest for possession, she was smuggling 2.5 million dollars worth of cocaine. And a last thing, how was she forced to do it? I'm not saying it is not possible, but how did this gang approach her and blackmailed/intimidated her into smuggling that much into Indonesia? So many questions that can be asked in this case. [editline]22nd January 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Pepsi-cola;39317566]You do realise these people are usually forced to do it right?[/QUOTE] How do you know a lot of people are being forced? How can a person from the UK be randomly forced into being a massive drug mule with no previous incident/issue?

[QUOTE=Fetret;39317738]She is 56, which is hardly old or elderly as the title is trying to suggest and what does her being a grandmother have anything to do with the news? Yeah the death penalty is harsh, but a lot of countries have really harsh sentences for drug smuggling. And this wasn't a dime bag or arrest for possession, she was smuggling 2.5 million dollars worth of cocaine. And a last thing, how was she forced to do it? I'm not saying it is not possible, but how did this gang approach her and blackmailed/intimidated her into smuggling that much into Indonesia? So many questions that can be asked in this case. [editline]22nd January 2013[/editline] How do you know a lot of people are being forced? How can a person from the UK be randomly forced into being a massive drug mule with no previous incident/issue?[/QUOTE] Apparently they threatened her children if she didn't do it, although if she's a grandmother that means her children are adults so I'm not sure why they didn't go to the police / into hiding / anything other than taking 10lb of cocaine through customs Better article [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21149631[/url]

[QUOTE=Fetret;39317738]She is 56, which is hardly old or elderly as the title is trying to suggest and what does her being a grandmother have anything to do with the news? Yeah the death penalty is harsh, but a lot of countries have really harsh sentences for drug smuggling. And this wasn't a dime bag or arrest for possession, she was smuggling 2.5 million dollars worth of cocaine. And a last thing, how was she forced to do it? I'm not saying it is not possible, but how did this gang approach her and blackmailed/intimidated her into smuggling that much into Indonesia? So many questions that can be asked in this case.[/QUOTE] Yeah but there shouldn't even be laws like this in any country in the first place. Of course 8.4 pounds of cocaine can be harmful to users, but they still have free will and make the conscious decision to consume the drugs. They should know the risks. And even so, why not just confiscate the drugs, give her a hefty fine, and a jail sentence for a few years? That would most likely make sure she won't be a repeated offender. I don't see the point in killing someone for doing this, except to set a cruel anti-drug example. [QUOTE=matt.ant;39317554]I feel sorry for her but still, that's the law and that's the punishment. If a foreigner committed a crime in Britain and was sentenced for it, we wouldn't be lenient just because it's less of a crime in their country[/QUOTE] But I still doubt people would be saying "WELL THAT'S THE LAW SO FOLLOW IT! ! !" if it's a ridiculous and savage sentence and could be changed to follow how other countries deal with the same problem in better ways.

Cavity search her soul. She might try and sneak some coke into heaven. [editline]22nd January 2013[/editline] ps fuck the death penalty

[QUOTE=Ploo;39317548]This is the most ridiculous thing to hand out death penalties for.[/QUOTE] Even more ridiculous when you remember that the prosecution called for her [B]not[/B] to get it.

regardless if you're forced or not, you shouldn't be sentenced to death for a drug related law breaking.