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.