Australia
asked Indonesia to take into account the juvenile status of an Australian boy being questioned for alleged drug possession on the
resort island of Bali, police said Sunday.
Australian ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty visited Bali
from Jakarta Saturday to provide moral support to the 14-year-old, who was
arrested last Tuesday with 6.9 grams of marijuana, Bali police spokesman
Hariadi told AFP.
"The ambassador also appreciated police investigations
so far and hoped that the legal process will consider the boy's young
age," he said.
"Investigations are still ongoing. Indonesia will adhere
to laws applicable, including those related to children," he added.
Police said the teen was arrested as he returned to his hotel
from a massage in the Kuta tourist area and had admitted to paying Rp 250,000
($29) to a man, who reportedly told him he had not eaten for a day and needed
money.
The Australian government has made the boy's release
"top priority".
Moriarty told reporters Saturday that the boy, who is in
police custody, and his family were under "a great deal of stress".
"My focus in the days ahead is to provide maximum
support to the boy and his family so he can return to Australia as quickly as
possible," he said.
"He's a robust young man but he is under incredible
stress."
Children face the same courts as adults in Indonesia,
although juvenile justice laws offer some concessions to minors.
The boy's lawyer, Muhammad Rifan, said drug possession
carries up to 12 years in jail but the sentence is halved for child offenders.
Children are often jailed with adults, although Kerobokan
prison, where the boy would spend his term, has a separate children's cell.
Several Australians are housed in Kerobokan, including a man
arrested last month in possession of methamphetamine, and several convicted
drug traffickers -- two on death row and six serving life sentences.
Source : AFP
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