A teenage girl caught in Bali with cocaine in her bag could be executed by firing squad.
Brazilian national Manuela Vitoria de Araujo Farias, 19, was reportedly caught with three kilogrammes of cocaine in her luggage as she arrived into Bali, a popular tourist island in Indonesia, earlier this year.
The young woman was arrested at Bali International Airport having passed through airports in Brazil and Qatar.
She was charged with international drug trafficking and consequently kept in prison where she has been for the past three months. However , prosecutors last week demanded the young woman receive the maximum penalty possible should she be found guilty.
Under Indonesia’s tough anti-drug laws, she could face execution by firing squad or life imprisonment if she is convicted of trafficking.
Prosecutors told the court that Farias was clearly working with the drug gang, whereas her lawyer claims that the teenager was tricked by people she trusted.
It was said the 19-year-old, who sold lingerie and perfume for a living, had been living between Santa Catarina in Brazil, where her mother lives, and Para where her father lives. Farias’ lawyer Davi Lira da Silva reportedly claims she was tricked into cooperating after the gang who hired her told her of temples on the island where they pray for the sick. Farias’ mother had recently suffered a stroke, and her lawyers say she was going to seek Buddhist prayers for a cure.
They also claim that the gang had promised to pay for lessons for the young woman who was a keen surfer once she arrived in the country.
Farias’ family meanwhile announced that they have set up a crowdfunding campaign to try and pay for an expert in international law to get involved in the case.
The case was adjourned and will resume later this month. Investigations are reportedly ongoing into the people Farias claims handed her the drugs.
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