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Pregnant Briton arrives in court Pregnant Briton arrives in court
(about 2 hours later)
A pregnant British woman accused of smuggling heroin has arrived in court ahead of her trial in Laos.A pregnant British woman accused of smuggling heroin has arrived in court ahead of her trial in Laos.
Samantha Orobator, 20, from south London, was allegedly caught with 1.5lb (680g) of the drug at Wattay airport in the capital Vientiane in August. Samantha Orobator, 20, from south London, was allegedly caught with 1.5lb (680g) of the drug at Wattay airport in the capital, Vientiane, last August.
Her trial has been delayed while officials in Laos try to find out how she became pregnant in a women's prison Her trial had been delayed while officials in Laos tried to find out how she became pregnant in a women's prison
She would have faced a mandatory death sentence but the execution of pregnant prisoners is not allowed in Laos. She could have faced a mandatory death sentence, but the execution of pregnant prisoners is not allowed in Laos.
The UK has recently signed a prisoner transfer agreement with Laos, which means Ms Orobator could serve any potential sentence in a British jail.The UK has recently signed a prisoner transfer agreement with Laos, which means Ms Orobator could serve any potential sentence in a British jail.
Ms Orobator has been held in Phongthong prison, where she reportedly became pregnant in December, for nine months while she awaits trial. Ms Orobator has been held for nine months in Phongthong prison, where she reportedly became pregnant in December.
Death penaltyDeath penalty
British human rights charity Reprieve has called for Ms Orobator to be returned to the UK before the final stages of her pregnancy.British human rights charity Reprieve has called for Ms Orobator to be returned to the UK before the final stages of her pregnancy.
A spokeswoman said: "We really want her home by June 6. That is the first day of her third trimester and she needs to travel before then.A spokeswoman said: "We really want her home by June 6. That is the first day of her third trimester and she needs to travel before then.
"Whether she is acquitted, pardoned or tried and convicted and serves her sentence in this country, she needs to be out of that prison by then.""Whether she is acquitted, pardoned or tried and convicted and serves her sentence in this country, she needs to be out of that prison by then."
The death penalty is mandatory for anyone anyone caught with more than 1lb (500g) of heroin in Laos.The death penalty is mandatory for anyone anyone caught with more than 1lb (500g) of heroin in Laos.
However, the Laos government has previously said a pregnant woman would receive a lesser sentence.However, the Laos government has previously said a pregnant woman would receive a lesser sentence.
Spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing told the BBC: "We would not sentence a pregnant woman to the death penalty."Spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing told the BBC: "We would not sentence a pregnant woman to the death penalty."