Iranian faces 17 years in jail

JAKARTA (JP): A state prosecutor asked the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday to sentence an Iranian to 17 years imprisonment for possessing and trafficking 155 heroin pills.

Prosecutor Halim Tola said Mehdi Jarari, 28, a Teheran-based businessman, deserved the punishment because he said heroin was much more dangerous than other drugs.

"Heroin is banned in Indonesia because it could affect the younger generation," Halim said.

The prosecutor also said the defendant has to pay Rp 20 million (US$8,160) in fines or receive an additional four months imprisonment.

Jarari is charged under the 1976 Law on Narcotics which carries a maximum of the death penalty.

Earlier this month, the defendant insisted the drugs belonged to an Austrian friend named Michael.

Since 1995, Indonesia has convicted five foreigners for involvement in drug-related cases, with sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonment. The first was for a Dutch woman, sentenced for trafficking 5,832 Ecstasy pills, and the latest sentence was delivered September last year for a Ghanaian found guilty of smuggling 600 grams of heroin.

Jarari's hearing was adjourned until June 11, scheduled for the defense statement. (12)