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She gave her baby life. And her baby is returning the favor.
Samantha Orobator received good news last week, when the government of Laos announced it would not seek the death penalty for the young British woman accused of drug smuggling in the Southeast Asian nation because she is five-months pregnant.
Orobator will still face trial this week on the smuggling charges. She has been imprisoned since August when she was arrested by Laos authorities after allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.5 pounds of heroin aboard a flight to Thailand.
Those caught with more than 1.1 pounds of heroin are usually given death sentences by firing squad in Laos.
The circumstances surrounding Orobator's case have raised serious questions for human rights groups fighting on her behalf.
Orobator, 20, hasn't been provided proper legal counsel during her eight months in prison, according to her supporters.
And while the pregnancy may keep Orobator from a meeting with the firing squad, her supporters are asking how the woman became pregnant while in the custody of prison jailers.
They fear she was raped during her incarceration in Phonthong prison, where former prisoners have reported they were forced to sleep on concrete floors and were beaten by guards.
More Discussion in BV Community
+ PREGO GAL WON'T GO TO FIRING SQUAD
+ Black Pregnant Woman Faced Execution
+ Pregnant Black Woman Escapes Death Penalty in Laos
Comments: (9)
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By: kcn9971 on 5/11/2009 11:07AM
Asia is the last place on earth you want to be caught with drugs. an Austrailian woman got 17 years for "nickle bag" of weed. Two women from New York got LIFE for cocaine posession. Just a warning to people of all races, you get caught your not coming home for a long time. It's quite obvious they take their "war on drugs" more serious than the U.S.
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By: Tired of Poor ME attitude on 5/11/2009 11:57AM
She knew it was illegal, she knew the penalty. Time for her to pop out that kid and face the music. Get rich quick has a down side, this time it is your life. Too bad she was so stupid. Drug dealers don't deserve mercy.
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By: www.securoseal.com on 5/12/2009 2:29AM
There are a lot of assumptions listed in comments on this page.
Most don't ask the question about how she even got locked up in the first place. Currently, no one in the press has access to the 'facts' because no one has been given access to her (save for the consulate - which will never interfere in another country's sovereign legal process). In fact, only these allegations are known at this time:
1. Drugs were found in luggage during transit through Laos.
2. The authorities have stated that the luggage belonged to her.
3. The quantity is sufficient to incur the death penalty.
4. She was locked up in a local prison facility, initially without consular assistance, then without legal assistance. Her family was not informed.
5. She denies the charges, but other than that, zero information has been released.
6. Legal counsel from Reprieve was denied access, despite being issued a visa. Only after international pressure was she allowed to pick a 'local lawyer' from a preselected list. However there are no reports that she has been seen by the person she 'chose'.
7. Authorities intend to move her trial date forward. Normally, it takes years for such a trial to be heard, but in an effort to reduce the case's profile, the authorities wish to short list it. Moving the date will make it very difficult for the defence to prepare. If they are heard at all.
8. She is pregnant & it has been reported that this happened while she was detained in a women's only prison.
9. News reports suggest she is being coerced into saying the pregnancy was voluntary.
In many countries, there is no presumption of innocence in drug smuggling cases. Laws in Australia, Asia, the Middle East (among other areas) shift the burden of proving innocence onto the person charged if the authorities can prove possession.
Any luggage can be tampered with. If it has a zip, it can be opened with a pen and resealed in seconds. Without a trace. Even if it is locked. It could happen to you. Seeing is believing:
http://www.securoseal.com/main.php?pg=news&news_id=316
Luggage transit areas in airports are inherently unsafe and affected by criminal activity. It happens all the time and its not just Asia. Its in the west too. Its not a conspiracy theory - its a fact. Read about it:
http://www.securoseal.com/main.php?id=325
If it happened to you, would that make you a smuggler? Think about it next time you pack your luggage and check it in. Think about it next time you read a news story about a bag just like yours. Chances are, if it does happen, you won't have a clue until you are in cuffs and the assumptions are written next to your name.
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By: Terrance on 5/12/2009 12:13PM
All of what you said could be true. but, it sound like your not being open to the fact that she could be guilty. stop making excuses for people just because she is black and locked up in a different country. and for the record I'm black and live in the Bronx,NY. Now if she is five months pregnant it's a major problem. being that she's been in prison for eight months. If she didn't do it then set her free! But if she did do it, let her have the baby then she should pay for her crime according to the country drug policies.
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By: sondra on 5/12/2009 3:54PM
I am TOTALLY against drug use and drug trafficking. But in this girl's case, no one really knows what happened. She could have been framed,threatened,or even drugged herself. I HAVE PRAYED AND PRAYED THAT SHE NOT BE EXECUTED ESPECIALLY IF SHE IS INNOCENT!! People need to show a little mercy instead of condemning someone on what they hear about in the news!! No one knows the TRUE STORY of what happened!!
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By: Uthai Preemongkhul on 5/13/2009 2:35AM
Members of my family work as guards in prisons in Thailand and Laos and it is fairly normal for guards to have sex with the prisoners . Especially if the prisoner is a foreigner . We Thais and Laos do not share your values and the prison commandants will take money for turning a blind eye .This is our way as money is paramount .I even know of tourists getting in for overnights which costs $500 usually .
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By: Mike on 5/13/2009 1:37PM
"She does not deny she was a drugs mule, but says it was done under duress. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8038112.stm
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By: ace on 5/18/2009 6:56AM
yeah it's funny she's bben locked up for 8months and she's 5months carring a baby, it don't look to good for the laos govt.. let that woman go home
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By: Urbanprincess on 5/24/2009 7:58PM
Ok, that was wrong for her to have committed that crime. And hell yeah, she should do the time. As far as her being 5 mos. pregnant and authorities are saying, that she might have been raped by the guards or someone at the prison facility is WRONG! No woman in should be raped for any circumstances!!! She was violated! You know whomever got her pregnant, will never be caught and convicted?
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