The verdict and sentencing of the Bali Nine could be just 2 weeks away. The court in Denpasar has been going though the trials, often pairing kingpins with pee-ons.
In the US the prosecutors would likely suggest a plea-bargain, where the ‘mules’ plead guilty to a lesser crime while co operating in the prosection of the ring leaders. Here in Bali its somewhat mixed up and there is an outside chance that the ‘mules’ could get death, while Andrew Chan and co escape with a prison sentence because they didn’t actually have drugs on them.
We all know that drug king pins don’t usually haul drugs themselves, that’s what the mules are for. No surprise Sukumaran and Chan weren’t found with drugs. Conspiracy means to conspire with at least one other person. In this instance there is ample evidence to prove Chan and co conspired with the mules. In a western country conspiracy to traffic narcotics, is a worse crime than carrying a single batch. I don’t know how the judges see it out here, but its feeling like ‘village justice’ when the judge is getting frustrated that the kingpin won’t co operate.
Here’s my attitude if I’m a judge. ‘Okay Mr Kingpin, we’ve got evidence coming out of our ears that you planned and organised drug trafficking. Right now you’re looking at death, and it will stay that way unless you co operate’.
Some people are predicting a backlash against Indonesia / Bali, if the Bali Nine are given death. I also think there will be. While I am not in favour of taking the lives of young people, its important to remember that they did certain things to put themselves in this situation.
Sure some of the younger member of the Bali Nine were naive, buy there is a limit to how far that excuse will get you.
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Most Australians recognise that Howard is personally not to be trusted, but he got back in because the opposition Labor party was not generally seen as a viable alternative. Since then his popularity has nose-dived for various reasons, including of course the draconian new industrial relations laws which will seriously disadvantage middle and working class Australians. So whatever the Howard govt says about anything [on behalf of "all Australians"], take it with a pinch of salt.
Public opinion surveys have repeatedly shown that most Australians favour the death penalty for at least some serious crimes. For instance, there will certainly be no general outcry in Australia if/when the Bali bombers are executed, in fact most Australians are probably wondering why that is taking so long.
I would say that probably most of us would tend to feel some concern for young naive mules, but I doubt if that feeling would extend to the organisers. I personally felt sorry for the family of the young guy recently executed in Singapore, but that would not affect any decision about whether or not to visit Singapore.
Any talk about a “backlash” is likely to be all talk and no action.
As an Australian I seriously doubt there will be much backlash as a result of the Bali Nine case.
As least in the Corby case it’s possible to “believe” that she is innocent or at least have some doubt about her guilt. In this case things seem to be fairly cut and dried in terms of their guilt or innocence. I personally believe the death penalty to be wrong, however since the Van Nguyen case it has become very clear that despite appeals to the highest level, foreign governments will apply their laws as they see fit.
I seriously doubt that Australians (or visitors from other countries) are short sighted enough to punish Bali for perceived in-justices.
People might choose to blame a downturn on the Bali Nine case, however I would be more concerned about the cumulative effect of the bombings than what happens in this case.
In this modern world, people put the safety of their own hides before their concern for others. Too bad many people seem to overlook the fact that they are more likely to die in a car on the way to the airport than by the hand of terror.
Cheers
Stu
There will be no cause for a backlash against Bali/Indonesia because these drugs were not planted on these people without their knowledge.
They all realised they were carrying something which had trouble “getting through Jakarta”.
The courts should take into account each persons previous travels to Indonesia and company and hand down the convictions accordingly.
There will be no ‘backlash’ from me whatever the verdict. If these parasites had not been caught they would still bringing the stuff into our country. No matter the circumstances, ages or threats against them or their families - they had other options. Death penalty - in this instance - I really don’t care.
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