Indonesian court sentences reporter to 7 months in drug case

Through his lawyer, Fox thanked supporters and said he accepted the court’s judgment.

“I am very grateful for this lenient sentence,” he said.

Fox, 55, worked for Reuters for 20 years but was fired in 2011 for making an off-colour remark in an instant-messaging system while covering the 2011 Japan tsunami and nuclear reactor meltdowns.

In his indictment, presiding Judge Erwin Djong noted Fox’s testimony that he used hashish to cope with the trauma suffered from covering conflicts but said there was no justification for drug use, which was a negative influence on Indonesia’s youth.

Bali police first raided Serafino’s house in the beachside town and resort area of Sanur, where they seized 7.32 grams (0.26 ounces) of hashish. His arrest led to the detention of Fox at a bar run by Serafino.

Prosecutors have also sought a one-year prison term for Serafino, 49, who is being tried separately. His sentencing is expected on Tuesday.

Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws and convicted traffickers are often executed. More than 150 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes. About a third of them are foreigners.

Eighteen people convicted of drug-related offences, mostly foreigners, have been executed since President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo took office in October 2014.

The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Indonesian court sentences reporter to 7 months in drug case

Our Community