Indonesian prosecutors sought life in jail for four Australians and a 20-year sentence for another instead of the death penalty yesterday in a high-profile heroin case on Bali Island.

 

The five are among nine Australians arrested on the resort island last April for attempting to smuggle more than 8.2 kilograms of heroin from Indonesia to their home country.

 

All members of the group, dubbed the "Bali Nine" by Australian media, face charges that carry the maximum penalty of death by firing squad.

 

Life terms were demanded for Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman, who were arrested at a Bali hotel along with quantities of heroin, scales and other equipment that authorities say indicated involvement in the transfer of drugs. The same penalty was sought for accused courier Martin Stephens.

 

Prosecutors on Tuesday demanded death for one of the accused masterminds, Myuran Sukumaran. They also sought life terms for two other accused couriers earlier this week.

 

But they requested a more lenient 20-year term for the eighth and only female member of the group, Renae Lawrence, who once worked as a caterer in New South Wales.

 

"The defendant was very helpful in giving statements from the probe until the trial, enabling the unearthing of the syndicated organization and other perpetrators of this narcotic crime," prosecutor Putu Indriati told the Denpasar district court, explaining the softer demand.

 

Lawrence, Stephens and two other accused couriers who appeared in court earlier this week were caught at Bali's main airport during the April bust with packages of heroin strapped to their bodies.

 

The final suspect is Andrew Chan, whom prosecutors have said was involved in planning the operation.

 

Under Indonesian law, a prosecution demand is non-binding for judges but seen as a strong recommendation.

 

Any death penalties handed down could affect Indonesia's ties with Australia, which has abolished the death penalty.

 

Indonesian police have vowed to crack down on illegal drugs on Bali, which they say has become a hub for international narcotics distribution.

 

Indonesian courts have delivered a string of tough sentences against foreigners over drugs charges. They include Australian woman Schapelle Corby, sentenced to 20 years in jail last May after being found guilty of smuggling marijuana.

 

(China Daily January 26, 2006)