Australian faces death penalty for cocaine possession in Bali!

Australian faces death penalty for cocaine possession in Bali!

An Australian is facing serious punishment in Bali after being caught with 1.5 kilograms of cocaine. This cache of drugs found in his apartment in Canggu could earn him the death penalty. The cocaine is said to have been smuggled into the country from Thailand in a package. The arrested man, a 43-year-old man, was presented at a press conference wearing an orange prison suit and handcuffs, while his face remained hidden behind a balaclava. This dramatic presentation highlights Indonesia's tough stance on drug-related crime. ZVW reports that possession of even small amounts of hard drugs can result in death sentences, although defendants are usually sentenced to long prison sentences instead.

This case brings back memories of the “Bali Nine,” a notorious Australian gang that attempted to smuggle 8.3 kilograms of heroin from Bali to Australia in 2005. Two leaders of this gang were executed in 2015 despite international protests. In contrast, five members of the “Bali Nine” were released at the end of 2024 after almost 20 years in prison. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally advocated for their release and thanked the Indonesian President for this gesture. The renewed tensions over drug-related crime could pose diplomatic problems for the Australian government.

Strict drug policy in Indonesia

Drug policy in Indonesia is extremely rigorous, supported by a broad social consensus for strict measures against drug trafficking. It is estimated that there are around 12,000 drug deaths and four and a half million addicts in the country every year. President Joko Widodo stresses the need for draconian punishments as part of a comprehensive fight against drugs. However, these measures have failed to prevent millions of young Indonesians from continuing to become addicted to drugs, which many critics see as a reflection of the government's helplessness.

The Indonesian government is currently planning to execute ten foreigners and five Indonesians accused of drug trafficking. These executions are to be carried out by firing squad, with prisoners given the choice of standing, sitting or kneeling. While these steps have been heavily criticized internationally, Indonesia remains unfazed by the protests, including from the Australian government and the affected families. The fight against drug trafficking remains a key political agenda in Indonesia.

The upcoming developments regarding the Australian citizen in Bali could represent a further test of diplomatic relations between Australia and Indonesia. Given the past and ongoing cases, it remains to be seen how the Australian government will respond to these new challenges and whether the international community will once again take a stand against the draconian penalties in Indonesia.