Veiled lingerie model on trial

Veiled lingerie model on trial

Agence France-Presse, Denpasar

An Australian model accused of possessing ecstasy pills in
Bali went on trial on Friday and faces lengthy imprisonment if
convicted.

Appearing before the Denpasar district court wearing a Muslim
veil, Michelle Leslie heard prosecutors accusing her of
possessing two ecstasy tablets during a police raid on a party in
Bali's Jimbaran area in August.

In their indictment, prosecutors said Leslie had "unlawfully
possessed psychotropic drugs" in the form of ecstasy pills.

The trial was adjourned until next Tuesday.

Leslie's lawyer Rizal Akbar said no defense argument would be
made in the next court session because Leslie "wants this process
to be speedy."

If found guilty she could be jailed for up to 15 years under
tough drug laws in Indonesia.

Leslie said last month she had converted to Islam a year ago
and that her new faith had prevented her from going "crazy" in
her police cell in predominantly-Hindu Bali.

"It upsets me greatly that people think I am trying to
manipulate the system," she said.

"Religion is helping me stay centered in the present moment.
You have to find something otherwise your mind just goes crazy."

The 24-year-old, who is of mixed Australian-Philippine
descent, had modeled lingerie and swimwear before her arrest.

Leslie is among 12 young Australians facing execution or long
prison sentences in Indonesia for drug offenses.

In a separate trial, judges rejected Friday a plea to drop
heroin smuggling charges against 29-year-old Australian Renae
Lawrence.

Lawrence, who was caught red-handed at Bali airport with 2.1
kg of heroin strapped to her legs and back in April, faces the
death penalty if convicted.

The judges said prosecutors had prepared "complete, clear and
diligent" charges against Lawrence. Her next court session is
scheduled for Nov. 11.

Lawrence is among nine Australians, dubbed the "Bali Nine", on
trial in the Denpasar court over the alleged attempt to smuggle a
total of 11.2 kg of heroin to Australia. They face the death
penalty if convicted.

The arrests of the "Bali Nine" sparked controversy in
Australia after it emerged that Australian police had tipped off
their Indonesian counterparts, even though Canberra opposes the
death sentence.