Pubdate: Fri, 29 Mar 2002
Source: Star, The (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922
Author: AFP

GERMAN ESCAPES GALLOWS BUT FACES LONG JAIL TERM OVER DRUG CHARGE

SINGAPORE: A German woman suspected of drug trafficking in Singapore 
escaped hanging and was granted bail yesterday after banned substances 
found in her flat fell below the minimum needed to impose the death 
penalty. But Julia Suzanne Bohl, 23, is facing the grim prospect of a long 
prison term after prosecutors brought additional cases against her, ranging 
from peddling cannabis to allowing drug-taking in her apartment.

Laboratory tests showed the amounts of various drugs seized in a raid on 
her apartment were not enough to warrant a death sentence.

Bohl and three Singaporeans were arrested on March 13 for possession of 
marijuana (cannabis), along with synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and 
ketamine as well as drug-taking paraphernalia.

"We got the scientific report that has just been served on us that shows 
that the amount is less than 500gm of cannabis," her lawyer Subhas Anandan 
said.

Under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act, anyone convicted of possessing a 
certain amount of a specified drug - 500gm in the case of cannabis - can be 
sentenced to death for trafficking.

The other drugs seized from Bohl's apartment also fell below the cut-off 
level for capital punishment. Executions are carried out by hanging in 
Singapore.

Anandan said that as a result, the death penalty cannot be imposed even if 
she is charged with trafficking. Bohl now faces three trafficking charges 
and 11 other drug-related offences.

In a statement, Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau said tests showed the 
substances seized contained 281.6gm of cannabis and 382.2gm of cannabis 
mixture.

Trafficking in either substance is punishable by a minimum of five years in 
jail and five strokes of the cane, but women are exempt from caning under 
Singapore law. The maximum is 20 years' jail and 15 strokes of the cane.

Bohl, who has been living for five years in Singapore after having studied 
in the city-state, appeared in handcuffs at a downtown courthouse. She was 
wearing a pink sleeveless shirt, her hair tied in a ponytail.

Anandan said Bohl will plead innocent to the charges of trafficking and 
claim trial.

Judge Victor Yeo impounded Bohl's passport. "
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MAP posted-by: Beth