Veiled lingerie model on trial<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Denpasar<\/p>\n
An Australian model accused of possessing ecstasy pills in
\nBali went on trial on Friday and faces lengthy imprisonment if
\nconvicted.<\/p>\n
Appearing before the Denpasar district court wearing a Muslim
\nveil, Michelle Leslie heard prosecutors accusing her of
\npossessing two ecstasy tablets during a police raid on a party in
\nBali's Jimbaran area in August.<\/p>\n
In their indictment, prosecutors said Leslie had \"unlawfully
\npossessed psychotropic drugs\" in the form of ecstasy pills.<\/p>\n
The trial was adjourned until next Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Leslie's lawyer Rizal Akbar said no defense argument would be
\nmade in the next court session because Leslie \"wants this process
\nto be speedy.\"<\/p>\n
If found guilty she could be jailed for up to 15 years under
\ntough drug laws in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Leslie said last month she had converted to Islam a year ago
\nand that her new faith had prevented her from going \"crazy\" in
\nher police cell in predominantly-Hindu Bali.<\/p>\n
\"It upsets me greatly that people think I am trying to
\nmanipulate the system,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"Religion is helping me stay centered in the present moment.
\nYou have to find something otherwise your mind just goes crazy.\"<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old, who is of mixed Australian-Philippine
\ndescent, had modeled lingerie and swimwear before her arrest.<\/p>\n
Leslie is among 12 young Australians facing execution or long
\nprison sentences in Indonesia for drug offenses.<\/p>\n
In a separate trial, judges rejected Friday a plea to drop
\nheroin smuggling charges against 29-year-old Australian Renae
\nLawrence.<\/p>\n
Lawrence, who was caught red-handed at Bali airport with 2.1
\nkg of heroin strapped to her legs and back in April, faces the
\ndeath penalty if convicted.<\/p>\n
The judges said prosecutors had prepared \"complete, clear and
\ndiligent\" charges against Lawrence. Her next court session is
\nscheduled for Nov. 11.<\/p>\n
Lawrence is among nine Australians, dubbed the \"Bali Nine\", on
\ntrial in the Denpasar court over the alleged attempt to smuggle a
\ntotal of 11.2 kg of heroin to Australia. They face the death
\npenalty if convicted.<\/p>\n
The arrests of the \"Bali Nine\" sparked controversy in
\nAustralia after it emerged that Australian police had tipped off
\ntheir Indonesian counterparts, even though Canberra opposes the
\ndeath sentence.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/veiled-lingerie-model-on-trial-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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