Bali Nine’s Renae Lawrence appeal sentence in Denpasar Bali

Renae Lawrence, the sole female member of the Bali Nine heroin trafficking group, appealed against her life sentence. Her lawyer, Haposan Sihombing, said Renae should either be released, or given a lighter sentence, because she actively cooperated with police.

The problem for her defense, is that wile she told the truth about some of the other members of the Bali Nine, she didn’t tell the truth about herself. The main point of contention is whether she was forced into carrying the drugs or was actively involved as a knowing accomplice. The fact that she knew Andrew Chan very well and had accompanied him to Bali twice before, suggests the latter. Bali judges weren’t born yesterday and will not buy a ‘I had no alternative’ excuse.

Talking to a tourist in Kuta yesterday, we agreed that the plight of the Bali Nine is a sobering thought. In a perfect world
they would be able to work off their sentence doing some kind of community service, then having a chance at a new life. Stay tuned for the latest developments.