Death penalty sought for young woman

TANGERANG: A young woman is facing a possible death sentence for her alleged attempt to smuggle one kilogram of heroin from Katmandu, Nepal, into the country last October.

Prosecutor Puji Rahardjo asked the Tangerang District Court on Wednesday to impose the death penalty on 27-year-old Merry Utami, who used to work as a migrant worker in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The defendant, a resident of Sukohardjo, Central Java, was arrested upon her arrival at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Two plastic packs containing 1 kilogram and 10 grams of heroin respectively were found in her purse.

The defendant immediately burst into tears as the prosecutor read out his demand.-- JP