Thread: Pregnant Brit Faces Firing Squad In Laos

Pregnant British woman faces firing squad over drug charges

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Friends believe woman may have been raped in notorious Laos prison
By Robert Verkaik, Law editor

Saturday, 2 May 2009

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Samantha Orobator-Oghagbon was arrested carried 680 grams of heroin

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A pregnant British woman held in a Laos prison for nine months faces execution if she is convicted of drug smuggling next week.

Friends of Samantha Orobator-Oghagbon, 20, believe she may have been raped while in detention and now fear for the health of her unborn baby.
Ms Orobator-Oghagbon, 20, from south London, was arrested at the country's Wattay Airport on 6 August 2008 and subsequently became pregnant at the notoriously abusive women's prison. Next week she goes on trial after being accused of smuggling 680 grams of heroin, narrowly exceeding the statutory minimum for the death penalty in Laos. If found guilty, she could be sentenced to execution by firing squad.
Ms Orobator-Oghagbon left home in July 2008 for a holiday and, after visiting the Netherlands and Thailand, was arrested in Laos. She has consistently claimed that she was forced into carrying drugs for a third party. The legal charity Reprieve, which is trying to help the Briton, say there is no evidence that she was anything more than a "mule".
Reprieve says she has not had access to lawyers. British diplomats in only learnt of her detention months after she was arrested. Since then she has been allowed to meet a consular official for 20 minutes every month, always with a guard present.
Ronke Oseni, 21, a psychology student at Kingston University, who has known Ms Orobator-Oghagbon for 11 years, said: "There is no one there to visit her, no one to talk to, she doesn't speak the language.
"I'm really scared for her. I can't even imagine what she's going through. The punishment does not fit the crime. They want to shoot her but what about the baby?"
Born in Nigeria in 1988, Ms Orobator-Oghagbon moved to the UK when she was eight and was raised by her aunt, Sabaina Orobator, in Camberwell, south London. Her uncle, her father figure, was killed in Nigeria, and the family were granted asylum status in the UK. Teachers remember her as a friendly and intelligent child. "She was very popular. She had a bizarre sense of humour. She was very bright," reports a former teacher from Sacred Heart School in London. "Always in the top sets. She got As and Bs."
There is a lack of medical care in Laos prisons, leading to the deaths of at least two foreign nationals this decade. In May last year, British citizen Michael Newman was found dead in his prison cell. He had been ill for over a week and was refused treatment. A French national, Francis Prasak, died in January 2001 after his requests for medical treatment were ignored. The daily ration reportedly consists of two bowls of pig fat water soup and 18oz (500g) of sticky rice. Most prisoners rely on their families to deliver food parcels.
Between 2003 and 2005, 37 death sentences were handed down by the Laos government. In 2007 at least two people were sentenced to death. Laos says the death penalty is needed to deter trafficking in drugs. In an interview in August 2008, Yong Chanthalangsy, a spokesperson for the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Article 135 of Laos criminal laws, which deals with penalties for drug traffickers, had been modified three times. And in the third change, the government increased the punishment to death penalty.
A spokeswoman for Ms Orobator-Oghagbon's local MP, Harriet Harman, said that she was doing everything possible to assist in the case and had been in contact with the Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell about the matter. She said that the immediate priority was to ensure that the trial does not take place before a visit to the UK by the Laotian foreign minister, who is due to arrive next week.

Why blame Laos for enforcing their laws? I really don't think the press is being at all fair. The piece is structured to put Laos in a poor light - why?

The woman took risk, was caught out & now faces the penalty for her actions. She really has only herself to blame.

Nigerian drug smuggler gets pregnant in prison.

Must be a slow news day.

No foreigner has ever been found not guilty in Laos courts. Ever.

Just finished reading a book by Kay Danes called nightmare in Laos, the Aussie husband and wife team sent down for being involved with security for a gem mining co. in 2000 and spent 10 months in Phonthong prison.

People aren't found innocent in Laos courts. It'd result in loss of face. Especially a foreigner. Their human rights are far less important.

No foreigner has ever been found not guilty in Laos courts. Ever.

Please, a link to reputable sources, not hearsay/rumour-mill would be useful.

Originally Posted by watterinja

The piece is structured to put Laos in a poor light - why?

I suppose its the little things like human rights, possibility of executing a pregnant woman etc...

Why do these people screw around with drugs in other countries mule or not she clearly thought that laws dont apply to her ----maybe a lifetime as a black person in Uk has led her to that belief

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

No foreigner has ever been found not guilty in Laos courts. Ever.

Bullshit.

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Just finished reading a book by Kay Danes called nightmare in Laos, the Aussie husband and wife team sent down for being involved with security for a gem mining co. in 2000 and spent 10 months in Phonthong prison. People aren't found innocent in Laos courts. It'd result in loss of face. Especially a foreigner. Their human rights are far less important.

She cosigned a letter accusing members of the Lao government of corruption, what did she expect? Not exactly a shrewd move.

Besides that, she may harp on about her time in prison, I personaly know people here in Bangkok who were at the time very close to Kerry Danes and said the only problem he had in prison was deciding what wine he was going to drink with his meals that were delivered from his favoured French restaurant on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by watterinja

Why blame Laos for enforcing their laws? I really don't think the press is being at all fair. The piece is structured to put Laos in a poor light - why?

The woman took risk, was caught out & now faces the penalty for her actions. She really has only herself to blame.

Well said Diaw...

PHONTHONG PRISON Please let us know if you have any information regarding any of the inmates listed below which can allow us to keep this page updated & current.
If you know of a prisoner who needs contact please contact us here
PHONTHONG PRISONER LIST SerialNameNationalityGenderClassificationArrestedCourt SentenceConsular 1 Chansaly Bounmy Thai Male Political 26-Mar-97 6 Years Released 2003 2 Peter Chan Thai/Taiwanese Male Economic/Investor 28-Nov-99 5 Years No Consular access 3 Malivan Laeyouang Thai Female Political 29-Mar-00 5 Years released 2004. 4 Bounsouy Thai Female Drug Case 2000 4 Years Released 2003 5 Praseut (Prasert) Thai Male Drug Case 1998 8 Years Released May 29,2003 6 Thirasai (Dherasai) Thai Male Drug Case 1998 8 Years Released 2002 7 Thonglow Thai Male Drug Case 1999 5 years Released 2002 8 Pong Thai Male Drug Case 2000 3 Years No 9 Vichai Thai Male Drug Case 1999 6 years Released 2002 10 Phou Thai Male Black Money Unknown 6 years Due for release 3months 11 Von Aton (Won Aae) USA Male Drug Case 1999 5 Years Released Jan 2004 12 Pang Yang USA Female Drug Case 1999 5 Years Released Jan 2004 13 Sue Yang USA Female Drug Case 1999 5 Years Released Jan 2004 14 Onchan Lee (Jai Hue Lee) Lao-Hmong Male Drug Case 3-Jul-95 10 Years released 2005 15 Phouanphit Lao Female Drug Case 1999 5 Years Released May 29,2004 16 Silisa Houmphanh Lao Male Drug Case 1997 10 years No 17 Bounxai Lao Male Political 1998 17 Years Suffered a stroke and was released Dec 2001 18 Lieng Vietnamese Male Drugs Unknown 18 years No 19 Dang Ansouh Vietnamese Male Drug Case 1998 18 Years No Consul Access 20 Vandong Vietnamese Male Drug Case 1998 18 Years No Consul Access 21 Abou Donzo Guinea (Africa) Male Economic 1-Jun-01 2 Years Released 25 July 2003 22 Sam Neawon Jr Liberia (Africa) Male Economic 22-May-01 4 Years more info below Family has access. Contact brother at s_bvivour[at]yahoo.com
Has completed his sentence but cannot be released until compensation is paid to the Lao Court. [US$17,000]. The family are continuing to liaise through diplomatic channels.
Phonthong Prison [Laos] Update 2 August 2006 - Sam Neawon JR
FPSS has been advised by the brother of Sam Neawon Jr that he was released from Phonthong prison today [2/08/06]. Sam is presently at the Laos Immigration awaiting his visa to leave the country. We are grateful that Sam will soon be reunited with his family. What a joyus occassion this is. Sam's older brother sends his appreciation to those who continued to send Sam love and support. The long journey for freedom is almost over and we must thank the Laos Authorities for providing Sam's release. We wish Sam all the very best for his future and hope that his journey forward will be in peace. 23 Michael Taylor Liberia (Africa) Male Economic 1-Jun-01 2 Years Released 25 July 2003 24 Mamseh Owsu Ghana (Africa) Male Economic 1-Jun-01 2 Years Released 25 July 2003 25 Abrahim Kellem Liberia Male Economic 1 Jun 01 2 Years more info below Died in custody. Fought with Thai prisoner. Refused to the locked in wooden leg blocks in cell. Police officer Tan Sombut locked down entire prison. Allowed three other prisoners to beat Abrahim who died shortly after. 26 Willy Africa Male Economic May 2001 No sentence Released 2001 27 Karim Africa Male Economic May 2001 No sentence Released 2001 28 Kerry Danes
(Securicor Manager) Australian Male Political 23 Dec 00 7 years Release thru diplomatic negotiations Nov 6, 2001. 29 Kay Danes
(Securicor Manager) Australian Female Political 23 Dec 00 7 years Released Nov 2001 - more info 30 Rev. Naw Karl Mua
(Lutheran Minister) USA Male Political 4 June 03 15 years Released July 2003. 31 Thierry Falise
(Photojournalist) Belgian Male Political 4 June 03 15 years Released July 2003. 32 Vincent Reynaud
(Cameraman) French Male Political 4 June 03 15 years Released July 2003. NOTE: Arrested June 4, 2003 northeastern Xieng Khuang province whilst researching story on ethnic cleansing of Hmong people. All were charged with possession of a gun and explosive device, obstructing police work. Each fined US$1000 to pay families of a militia man who the Laos regime claims was killed during a clash between Laos Army and Hmong people. 33 Thao Moua
(Guide) Hmong Male Criminal 4 June 03 20 years Reduced sentenced to 12 yrs, transferred to Samkhe Jail 2004 34 Char Yang
(Guide) Hmong Male Criminal 4 June 03 20 years Escaped arrest, sentenced in absentia 35 Pa Fue Khang
(Driver) Hmong Male Criminal 4 June 03 20 years Reduced sentenced to 15 yrs, transferred to Samkhe Jail 2004 36 Shiechan Chinese Female Drug Case 2001 1 year Released 2003 37 Saie Chinese Female Drug Case 2001 1 Year Released 2003 38 Aton Chinese Male Drug Case 2001 1 Year Released 2003 39 Akhorn Burma Male Drug Case 1997 - Released April 2004 40 John-korn Jarearatikorn Thai Female Drug Case Sept 2000 11 Years more info below Has consular access with the Thai Embassy.
Letters of support can be addressed to :
Letter for:
Miss Johnkorn Jarearatikorn [Phonthong Prison Laos]
Thai Embassy
PO Box 23
Meechai Road
A. Muang Nongkhai 4300
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41 Kiraleth Thai Male Drug Case 1997 6 Years No 42 Vanchop Thai Male Drug Case 1996 No sentence Transferred to Thai Prison 2003 43 Van Trung Ho Vietnamese Male Political 3 July 1999 No sentence Sought political asylum through UNHCR Madam Elizabeth Kirton. Transferred back to Vietnam jail 2003 44 Muhammed Osmon Ghani Pakistani Male Immigration Feb 2001 No sentence Released 2003 45 Prathounang Thai Male Drug Case 1998 No sentence No consular access 46 Anek Thai Male Drug Case Sept 2000 9 Years Now has Thai Embassy access. Eager to find penpals..... Please Write via.... Khun Varayud Chaiyakul - Consular Officer
Royal Thai Embassy, Vientiane Phonekeng Rd., Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Consular access is allowed first Thursday of each month 47 Thanaphan Na Nong Khai Thai Male Political 23 Mar 84 No Sentence more info belowLimited. Pending Thai Embassy intervention.
Was released in 2004 after serving a 20 year sentence for political reasons. Gained employment in Vientiane at a garage. Accidently killed a Laotian whilst driving a car. Was returned to Phonthong Prison for a further 7 years. 48 Dieter Roux .French Male Immigration 5 May 97 No Sentence more info below Laos Government approved released under humanitarian grounds. French Embassy unsure who will pay costs to evacuate to France. Email: Vice Consul officer Francoise.PUIG-INZA[at]diplomatie.gouv.fr
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49 Julia Poland Female Fake Money 2003 No Sentence Polish Embassy offered prisoner exchange. Offer rejected by prisoner. 50 William Africa Male Fake Money 2003 No Sentence No consular access 51 Bobby Africa Male Fake Money 2003 No Sentence No consular access 52 Suratin Phimanmakhin Thai Male Political 29 Mar 00 9 Years Released 2002 53 Somphet Chari-en Thai Male Economic 2 Jul 99 2 Years 2001 54 Sulimon Khamlak Thai Female Political 9 Sep 93 No Sentence released 2004 and returned to Thailand after a ten year sentence. 55 Linshinze Chinese Male Immigration 16 Aug 96 No Sentence Lao police claim released to China. No confirmed. 56 Chu Chan Song Chinese Male Immigration 16 Aug 96 No Sentence Lao police claim released to China. Not confirmed. 57 Khamchai Sae Her Thai/Hmong Male Political 2 Jan 99 20 Years First consular visit at Thai Embassy 23 April 2004
Now has consular access Eager to find penpals..... Please Write via.... Thai Embassy
PO Box 23
Meechai Road
A. Muang Nongkhai 4300
THAILAND
Consular access is allowed first Thursday of each month 58 Chao Sae Kue Thai/Hmong Male Political 2 Jan 99 20 Years First consular visit at Thai Embassy 23 April 2004
Now has consular access Eager to find penpals..... Please Write via.... Thai Embassy
PO Box 23
Meechai Road
A. Muang Nongkhai 4300
THAILAN
Consular access is allowed first Thursday of each month 59 Vithaya Sae Yang Thai/Hmong Male Political 2-Jan-99 15 Years First consular visit at Thai Embassy 23 April 2004
Now has consular access Eager to find penpals..... Please Write via.... Thai Embassy
PO Box 23
Meechai Road
A. Muang Nongkhai 4300
THAILAN
Consular access is allowed first Thursday of each month 60 Pichaiyonht Visootheckoon Chai Thai/Hmong Male Political 2-Jan-99 18 Years First consular visit at Thai Embassy 23 April 2004
Now has consular access Eager to find penpals..... Please Write via.... Thai Embassy
PO Box 23
Meechai Road
A. Muang Nongkhai 4300
THAILAN
Consular access is allowed first Thursday of each month 61 Krachang Sakbaiuenchaikoon Thai/Hmong Male Political 2-Jan-99 15 Years First consular visit at Thai Embassy 23 April 2004
Now has consular access 62 Francis Prasak (Phetdum)
French Male Investor 20 Jun 96 No Sentence Slate Company Sepon. Died in Custody 63 Aemongkhun Thunsavang Lao Male Political No Sentence Died in Custody 64 Boua Xiong USA Male Political No Sentence Died in Custody 65 Bounthavy Lao Male Political No Sentence Died in Custody 66 Huang Chinese/Malay Male Political No Sentence Died in Custody 67 David Caratt Nigerian Male Drug 20 Nov 93 8 Years Released 2002 68 May Henksferng Australian Male Economic 26 Oct 00 No Sentence Released 2002 69 Anouhack Mounivongs Canadian Male Investor 1998 3 years 3 months Worked for UN Project and was taken hostage. Released 2001 70 Phonedi Thai Male Political 1997 No sentence 71 Alexander Hughes Cameroon Male Economic 10 Jan 00 2 years Released 2002 72 Kunk Mongolian Male Immigration 1994 No Sentence Deaf and Dumb. Released 2003 73 Om Lao Female Drug Case 2001 No Sentence Released 2001 74 Khamhung Lao Male Political Unknown 1998 75 Ahmed Muktar Pakistani Male Immigration Feb 2001 No Sentence Released 2001 after brother paid money to police. 76 Samnao [Phak] Thai Male Political 2000 No Sentence 77 Lek Burmese Female Immigration May 2001 No Sentence Released June 2001 78 Khamla Burmese Male Drugs 1997 No Sentence Prisoner Exchange program 79 Maipheng Burmese Male Drugs 1997 No Sentence Prisoner Exchange program 80 Kai Lay Ampithinathan Sri Lankan Male Immigration 1998 No Sentence Deceased 2000 81 Saiphonh Thai Male Political - No Sentence Lao police claim transfer to Thailand 82 Outichan [Gin Gin] Chinese Female Political 1 Nov 94 No Sentence Lao Police claim transferred to China 83 Ahor Chinese Male Political 28 Jan 97 No Sentence Lao Police claim transferred to China 84 Livin [Marvin] Thai Male Political 5 Apr 97 No Sentence Lao police claim transfer to Thailand 85 Mohammed Abubakari Ghana Male Criminal - See Below more info below Found guilty of drug trafficking. He was arrested in 2002 with 1.5 kilograms of heroin.
Abubakari reportedly confessed that he was hired by a man in the Thai capital, Bangkok to carry the drugs to Vientiane. He received a plane ticket and 1,000 US dollars.
Detained: Phonthong Prison Vientiane Laos Sentence: Sentenced to Death. 86 Michael Newman brit Male Criminal - - More Information Below British national arrested while attempting to smuggle US$300,000 out of Laos, now Sentenced to 7 years Jail. Click Here for Michael Newman Case File , News Articles and More Information 87 Bounlab Luangkhamdeng Thai Male Criminal September 2003 See Below More Information Below 2 years and six months, fined 500,000 kip and another 800 million kip for income tax, but according to the court, he has already paid 400 million kip. Please direct all enquiries to: Khun Varayud Chaiyakul
Consular Officer, Royal Thai Embassy
Vientiane Phonekeng Rd, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
88 Phongchay Sayaseng Thai Male Criminal September 2003 See Below More Information Below 2 years and fined 500,000 kip and 365 million kip for income tax. Please direct all enquiries to: Thai Embassy
PO Box 23
Meechai Road
A. Muang Nongkhai 4300
THAILAN 89 John Albert Watson British Citizen
Born: Bradford, West Yorkshire UK
Birth: 17 November 1961 Male Arrested: 16 December 2003
Charge: Drug Trafficking Sentenced: 2 March 2006 [Life Sentence] See Below Family: Has two children and a fiance living in the UK. Consular Support: One visit once a month if approved. Embassy Contact:
You may write letters [only] to John via the Australian Embassy in Laos. Given that Laos is a communist state, please do not write anything offensive about the Lao PDR Government or its authorities. All mail in is censored.

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a formatted an easier to read list of the above post.

^ Do you know the person mentioned in the OP?

Originally Posted by taxexile

Friends believe woman may have been raped in notorious Laos prison By Robert Verkaik, Law editor

They should report mr Verkaik then.

Nigerians are now some of the most notorious drug smugglers in the world, their gangs are ice cold and often use young women as mules, they also have their own people (Nigerians) spread around to do the actual street sales.

This Girl knew she was smuggling, if she was threatened she could have gone to the authorities. she danced the dance and must now pay the "Piper"

Originally Posted by larvidchr

if she was threatened she could have gone to the authorities

Black and white huh?

Originally Posted by watterinja

No foreigner has ever been found not guilty in Laos courts. Ever.

Please, a link to reputable sources, not hearsay/rumour-mill would be useful.

Much much easier for you to show one example of a foreigner being found innocent once having been charged with an offence.

But you can't, can you?

[QUOTE="larvidchr"]Nigerians are now some of the most notorious drug smugglers in the world, their gangs are ice cold and often use young women as mules, they also have their own people (Nigerians) spread around to do the actual street sales.[/QUOTE.....and the irritating fuckers are always asking for help to fill out their visa forms in immigration too.

I bet the Lao PDR government and military have no idea who is whipping up smack in their country for export. Always the last to know, is the Lao "communist" mafia. Must be foreigners.

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Originally Posted by watterinja

No foreigner has ever been found not guilty in Laos courts. Ever.

Please, a link to reputable sources, not hearsay/rumour-mill would be useful.

Much much easier for you to show one example of a foreigner being found innocent once having been charged with an offence.

But you can't, can you?

are you thick?

It is up to the initial person making the claim to have some evidence of said claim, not to the other posters to try and prove every single claim made.

A claim without evidence is hearsay and rumour, nothing more nor less.

Yep, I think when talking about a communist dictatorship you can hardly say anything about enforcing laws. What laws can they ever be enforcing, other than the "I have a gun and you do as I say or I will shoot you" law?

The woman is pregnant, so drug mule or not the british government must do its best to get her out of there. The death penalty is totally out of proportion for the presumed crime.

In addition this is actually a pretty good example of why the death penalty is ineffective. It won't impact the cartel one bit, they couldn't care less. It won't even make it harder for them to recruit new mules - they'll easily find others that are desperate or dumb enough to work as mules.

Originally Posted by nikster

In addition this is actually a pretty good example of why the death penalty is ineffective. It won't impact the cartel one bit, they couldn't care less. It won't even make it harder for them to recruit new mules - they'll easily find others that are desperate or dumb enough to work as mules.

agreed.

Originally Posted by English Noodles

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

No foreigner has ever been found not guilty in Laos courts. Ever.

Bullshit.

Prove me wrong.

But you can't, can you doodles?

Because you're dribbling uninformed shite.



Again.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Much much easier for you to show one example of a foreigner being found innocent once having been charged with an offence.

But you can't, can you?

It is up to the initial person making the claim to have some evidence of said claim, not to the other posters to try and prove every single claim made.

Bollix. I've told them the truth, if they have evidence to show that I'm wrong (which I'm not) then present it. Otherwise accept it.

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Bollix. I've told them the truth, if they have evidence to show that I'm wrong (which I'm not) then present it. Otherwise accept it.

it does not work that way, if you make a claim at least be prepared to show a modicum of evidence to support it, otherwise you are just shooting your mouth off...

as per usual.