Death sentence sought for Italian

DENPASAR: The Bali Prosecutor's Office has sought the death sentence for an Italian charged with attempting to smuggle 5.26 kilograms of cocaine into the country.

Prosecutor I Made Mudita told a court hearing on Monday that Juri Angione, 24, had tried to smuggle the cocaine inside a surfboard bag through the airport.

"It is ridiculous, the defendant does not admit his guilt, yet demands a lenient sentence," Mudita said.

Customs officials said they found the cocaine, worth around US$529,000, hidden in the inner lining of the surfboard bag.

Angione admitted the bag was his but denied any knowledge of the cocaine. -- Antara