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Japanese grandfather handed life sentence for smuggling methamphetamine into Indonesia Japanese grandfather handed life sentence for smuggling methamphetamine into Indonesia
(7 months later)
An Indonesian court has handed a Japanese grandfather a life sentence for smuggling kilos of methamphetamine into the country.An Indonesian court has handed a Japanese grandfather a life sentence for smuggling kilos of methamphetamine into the country.
Police arrested grandfather of two Masaru Kawada, 73, last November after he was caught at Minangkabau Airport in West Sumatra's capital, Padang, with 2.35 kilograms (5.1lbs) of the stimulant in his luggage.Police arrested grandfather of two Masaru Kawada, 73, last November after he was caught at Minangkabau Airport in West Sumatra's capital, Padang, with 2.35 kilograms (5.1lbs) of the stimulant in his luggage.
While Kawada maintains that he was tricked into carrying someone else’s bag onto the flight, a panel of three judges at District Court in Pariaman decided he was guilty.While Kawada maintains that he was tricked into carrying someone else’s bag onto the flight, a panel of three judges at District Court in Pariaman decided he was guilty.
Chief state prosecutor Budi Prihalda had fought for a lighter sentence of 16 years because of the defendant's age.Chief state prosecutor Budi Prihalda had fought for a lighter sentence of 16 years because of the defendant's age.
But presiding judge Jon Effreddi said the panel “found no reason to lighten his sentence."But presiding judge Jon Effreddi said the panel “found no reason to lighten his sentence."
Kawada’s lawyer said an appeal will be launched against the decision.Kawada’s lawyer said an appeal will be launched against the decision.
Court documents state that Kawada met a man identified as Edward Mark in Japan last November.Court documents state that Kawada met a man identified as Edward Mark in Japan last November.
Mark asked Kawada to travel to Macau, and agreed to pay for his tickets and accommodation, as well as giving the septuagenarian $500 (£320) in travel expenses.Mark asked Kawada to travel to Macau, and agreed to pay for his tickets and accommodation, as well as giving the septuagenarian $500 (£320) in travel expenses.
When Kawada arrived in Macau, he met a Chinese woman who asked him to carry a bag to a friend in Padang.When Kawada arrived in Macau, he met a Chinese woman who asked him to carry a bag to a friend in Padang.
Kawada, who flew to Padang from Macau via Kuala Lumpur, said he had checked the bag and did not find anything suspicious, and only realised he was carrying drugs when his luggage was seized by officials.Kawada, who flew to Padang from Macau via Kuala Lumpur, said he had checked the bag and did not find anything suspicious, and only realised he was carrying drugs when his luggage was seized by officials.
People attend a vigil for the prisoners to be executed in Indonesia at Martin Place on April 28
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Crosses for condemned drug convicts (from L-R) Australians Andrew Chan (L) and Myuran Sukumaran (C), and Nigerian Okwudili Oyatanze
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Brintha Sukumaran, a sister of Australian death row prisoner Myuran Sukumaran's screams as she arrives to see him for a final time
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Brintha Sukumaran, the sister of Myuran Sukumaran, cries during her final visit to see him in prison on 28 April
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Michael Chan, brother of Australian drug convict and death row prisoner Andrew Chan, arrives at Nusakambangan island on 28 April
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The back of a painting by Australian death-row prisoner Myuran Sukumaran is shown, signed by the eight other condemned people
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A lawyer carries a painting by Myuran Sukumaran at Wijayapura port in Cilacap on 28 April
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A woman places a tribute on a flower wall that reads '#keephopealive' as part of an Amnesty international vigil for the pair
People at a vigil in Sydney on 27 April against the execution of Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran
Amnesty International/Sitthixay Ditthavong.
Activists hold a banner during a protest in front of the Indonesian embassy in Manila on April 27, 2015
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The lawyer for Australian death row inmates Myuran Sukumaran carries a painting after visiting Indonesia's Nusakambangan island on April 26
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A lawyer carries a self-portrait drawn by Myuran Sukumaran after visiting the prison island of Nusakambangan on 27 April
AP
Workers load coffins into a lorry ahead of the execution of nine prisoners in Indonesia
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Indonesian soldiers stand as guard at Wijayapura port near the prison island of Nusa Kambangan on Monday
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Chintu Sukumaran (L), brother of Myuran Sukumaran, stands next to Michael Chan, brother of Andrew Chan in Indonesia on 26 April, 2015
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Raji Sukumaran (R) and Brintha Sukumaran (L) family members of death-row prisoner Myuran Sukumaran cries as they talks to media after visiting Myuran at Kerobokan Prison in Bali, Indonesia
EPA/MADE NAGI
Indonesian police stand guard as the Bali Nine duo Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran arrive at Wijaya Pura Port where they will be transferred to Nusa Kambangan prison ahead of their execution in Cilacap, Central Java, Indonesia
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Halen Chan, the mother of death-row prisoner Andrew Chan, wipes away tears during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia
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Andrew Chan, right, and Myuran Sukumaran, centre, talking to their lawyer
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Two Australian drug traffickers Andrew Chan (L) and Myuran Sukumaran (R) were sentenced as the ringleaders of the "Bali Nine" drug ring in 2006
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Myuran Sukumaran is due to be executed
EPA
Kawada has emerged from the situation as one of the oldest drug smugglers to be sentenced in Indonesia.Kawada has emerged from the situation as one of the oldest drug smugglers to be sentenced in Indonesia.
The nation’s strict drug laws have come under scrutiny recently, after two Australian citizens were executed for smuggling heroin.The nation’s strict drug laws have come under scrutiny recently, after two Australian citizens were executed for smuggling heroin.
However, the government argues that the punishment is part of confronting a drug emergency.However, the government argues that the punishment is part of confronting a drug emergency.
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP