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Aust man tells Indon court he is an addict
AN Australian man has pleaded with an Indonesian court that he is a victim of addiction and not a criminal, as he made his defence on drug-possession charges.
ANDREW Roger, alias Roger Yeo, 51, was caught in possession of a stash of marijuana, crystal meth and pills during in a raid of his east Java home in May.
In his statement to the Surabaya District Court on Monday, Roger said he had bought two or three months' supply of the drug because it was so cheap, and there was no evidence that he was selling or distributing the drug. He said he used marijuana to relax and that it helped him be productive. He has previously testified if he didn't use the drug, he suffered from anxiety and insomnia.
Roger, who says he's a former police officer and waste contractor, testified he had been using the drug since he was 15.
On Monday, Roger told the court the 16-year jail term demanded by the prosecutor was like a life sentence for him at his age and in his condition.
Defence lawyer Erick Komala asked the court to punish his client as an addict and send him for treatment, not jail him.
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What Erick Komala asked the court for is totally reasonable, and what its verdict should be.
Treatment as an addict, then deportation.
Saves Indonesia a whole lot of money, time and effort.
All good.
AN Australian man has pleaded with an Indonesian court that he is a victim of addiction and not a criminal, as he made his defence on drug-possession charges.
ANDREW Roger, alias Roger Yeo, 51, was caught in possession of a stash of marijuana, crystal meth and pills during in a raid of his east Java home in May.
In his statement to the Surabaya District Court on Monday, Roger said he had bought two or three months' supply of the drug because it was so cheap, and there was no evidence that he was selling or distributing the drug. He said he used marijuana to relax and that it helped him be productive. He has previously testified if he didn't use the drug, he suffered from anxiety and insomnia.
Roger, who says he's a former police officer and waste contractor, testified he had been using the drug since he was 15.
On Monday, Roger told the court the 16-year jail term demanded by the prosecutor was like a life sentence for him at his age and in his condition.
Defence lawyer Erick Komala asked the court to punish his client as an addict and send him for treatment, not jail him.
#####
What Erick Komala asked the court for is totally reasonable, and what its verdict should be.
Treatment as an addict, then deportation.
Saves Indonesia a whole lot of money, time and effort.
All good.