Pubdate: Thu, 11 Sep 2014
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: Philip Wen

AUSTRALIANS FACING THE DEATH PENALTY IN CHINA FOR DRUG OFFENCES

BEIJING: A number of Australians are facing the death penalty in China
after being charged with serious drug offences.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said an unspecified number of
Australians had been detained, but it would not reveal any further
detail on specific cases.

"We are aware that a number of Australians have been detained in China
on serious drug charges," it said. "These individuals are receiving
appropriate consular assistance."

Government sources would not say how many Australians had been
arrested but that a "number" of Australians have been charged over
drug offences since late last year, although they had not yet been
through the full judicial process.

Asked whether they faced the death penalty, a senior source said:
"It's conceivable, but depends on the process of the judicial system.

"They are serious cases and we are not taking them
lightly.

"Chinese laws mandate an immediate death sentence for serious drugs
offences," the source added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Thursday altered its
travel advice to China specifically to warn of the dangers of drug
possession and trafficking in China and the potential for the death
penalty to be imposed for the most serious offences

"In 2014, a number of foreigners have been arrested and executed for
trafficking significant quantities of drugs," it said.

To date, no Australians have been executed under China's tough
anti-drugs laws, but other foreign nationals have.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D