Pubdate: Sat, 29 Oct 2005
Source: People's Journal (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 People's Journal
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

AUSSIE-PINAY MODEL ON TRIAL FOR ECSTASY

DENPASAR -- A 24-year-old model of mixed Australian-Philippine descent
is accused of possessing Ecstasy pills in Indonesia's Bali resort
island and faces lengthy imprisonment if convicted. Michelle Leslie
had modeled lingerie and swimwear before her arrest.

The Australian citizen, appearing before the Denpasar district court
wearing a Muslim veil, heard prosecutors accusing her of possessing
two Ecstasy tablets during a police raid on a party in Bali's Jimbaran
area last August.

Prosecutors said Leslie had "unlawfully possessed psychotropical
drugs" in the form of Ecstasy pills. The trial was adjourned until
next Tuesday.

Leslie's lawyer Rizal Akbar said no defense argument would be made in
the next court session on Tuesday because Leslie "wants this process
to be speedy." If found guilty, she could be jailed for up to 15 years
under tough drug Michelle Leslie wears a Muslim veil as she waits for
her trial to start.

Leslie said last month she had converted to Islam a year ago and that
her new faith had prevented her from going "crazy" in her police cell
in predominantly-Hindu Bali.

"It upsets me greatly that people think I am trying to manipulate the
system," she said. "Religion is helping me stay centerd in the present
moment. You have to find something otherwise your mind just goes crazy."

Leslie is among 12 young Australians facing execution or long prison
sentences in Indonesia for drug offenses.

In a separate trial, judges rejected Friday a plea to drop heroin
smuggling charges against 29-year-old Australian Renae Lawrence.

Lawrence, who was caught red-handed at Bali airport with 2.1 kilograms
of heroin strapped to her legs and back in April, faces the death
penalty if convicted.

The judges said prosecutors had prepared "complete, clear and
diligent" charges against Lawrence. Her next court session is
scheduled for Nov. 11.

Lawrence is among nine Australians, dubbed the "Bali Nine," on trial
in the Denpasar court over the alleged attempt to smuggle a total of
11.2 kilograms of heroin to Australia. They face the death penalty if
convicted.

The arrests of the "Bali Nine" sparked controversy in Australia after
it emerged that Australian police had tipped off their Indonesian
counterparts, even though Canberra opposes the death sentence.
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