SESSION 16: TEXT FOR WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY
PREGNANT BRITON FACES DEATH PENALTY
THE ARTICLE:
British human rights lawyers are fighting a battle against time to save a Briton from the death penalty in Laos. Samantha Orobator, 20, has been in a Laotian prison since August last year. She was arrested at the international airport in Laos on drugs charges. She is accused of being in possession of 680g of heroin. Ms Orobator denies any knowledge of the drugs. She claims Laotian officials have made a terrible mistake and mistook her for a drug trafficker. The court in Laos has suddenly decided Samantha´s trial will be next week. If she is found guilty, she will receive the death penalty. The British government is very concerned as they now have almost no time to help Samantha with a lawyer.
Human rights campaigners are very worried about Samantha. They have questioned how she became pregnant while in prison, sparking fears she was raped. British lawyer Clive Stafford Smith said: "Nothing that happens in that prison is voluntary." The jail has a very bad reputation and many prisoners complain of shocking abuse. Mr. Smith said: "If convicted next week, Samantha would face death by firing squad. Samantha is severely distressed, and [we have] grave concerns for her health and that of her unborn child." British Foreign Minister Bill Rammell said: "The British government is opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. We have made the Laos authorities aware of this at the highest levels."
"Pregnant Briton faces death penalty" - 4th May, 2009http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/
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