List of Australians imprisoned or executed abroad

This is a list of current and former Australian citizens whose detention in prisons outside of Australia or execution is noteworthy. The list includes those whose arrests and / or sentences are considered noteworthy for the following reasons,

Contents

Argentina

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Stephen John Sutton Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking 4 February 2003 2014 Sentenced to 11 years. Appeal pending.[1]

Bulgaria

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Jock Palfreeman Sydney, New South Wales Murder December 2007 - Appeal pending.[2]

Cambodia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Gordon Vuong Campsie, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) January 2005 2018 Sentenced to 13 years in May 2005.[3]

Fiji

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Thomas McCosker Warrnambool, Victoria Sodomy charges 3 April 2005 28 August 2005

Indonesia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Michelle Leslie South Australia Possession of ecstasy tablets 21 August 2005 19 November 2005
  • Controversially declared herself a Muslim during her imprisonment.[6]
  • It was alleged that some of her lawyers distributed bribes to secure her freedom.[7]
Andrew Chan Enfield, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin). 17 April 2005 Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006.[8]
Si Yi Chen Doonside, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[8]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006[9]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008
Michael Czugaj Oxley, Queensland Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.[8]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006[9]
  • Sentence increased to life on 6 September 2006
Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen Brisbane, Queensland Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[8]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006[9]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008 [2]
Matthew Norman New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[8]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006[9]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008 [3]
Scott Rush Chelmer, Queensland Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006.[8]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment on 11 May 2011 on appeal to the Indonesian Supreme Court
Martin Stephens Towradgi, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005 Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.[8]
Myuran Sukumaran Auburn, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005 Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006.[8]
Renae Lawrence Newcastle, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006.[8]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006[9]
Schapelle Corby Brisbane, Queensland Drug trafficking (Cannabis) 8 October 2004 12 April 2024
  • Sentenced in 2005 to 20 years.
  • Sentence reduced on appeal in 2005 to 15 years.
  • Sentence increased on further appeal in 2005 to 20 years.[10]

A prisoner exchange agreement is currently being negotiated between Australia and Indonesia.[11]

Israel

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Denis Michael Rohan 23 August 1969 Died 1995 Arson

Italy

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Laszlo Toth Melbourne, Victoria Vandalism 21 May 1972 9 February 1975 Vandalised Michelangelo's Pietà statue[12]

Kuwait

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Tallaal Adrey Auburn, New South Wales *Weapons possession
*Weapons trading
*Ammunition possession
*Ammunition trading		 14 February 2005 2009 Sentenced to 4 years.[13][14]

Laos

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Kerry and Kay Danes Brisbane, Queensland Destruction of Evidence,
Embezzlement of State Assets,
Violation of Lao Tax Regulations		 23 December 2000 6 November 2001 Pardoned 6 November 2001.[15]

Malaysia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Kevin Barlow Perth, Western Australia Drug trafficking (Heroin) 9 November 1983 Executed Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986.[16][17]
Brian Chambers Perth, Western Australia Drug trafficking (Heroin) 9 November 1983 Executed Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986.[16][17]
Michael McAuliffe Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 29 June 1985 Executed Executed by hanging in June 1993.[18]

Singapore

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Van Tuong Nguyen Melbourne, Victoria Drug trafficking (Heroin) 12 December 2002 Executed Executed by hanging on 2 December 2005.

Somalia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Nigel Brennan Brisbane 23 August 2008 25 November 2009

South Africa (Limpopo)

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Harry 'Breaker' Harbord Morant Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia War Crimes 24 October 1901 Executed Executed by shooting on 27 February 1902.
Peter Handcock New South Wales War Crimes 24 October 1901 Executed Executed by shooting on 27 February 1902.

Thailand

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Warren Fellows Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 11 October 1978 11 January 1990 Sentenced to life, received a pardon.[19]
Holly Deane-Johns Western Australia Drug trafficking (Heroin) August 2000 Sentenced to 31 years. Transferred to Bandyup Women's Prison in Australia in late 2007.[20]
Robert Halliwell Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) August 2000 Arrested with Deane-Johns whilst attempting to post heroin to Australia. Police later found another 110 grams of heroin in Halliwell's apartment. Sentenced to 31 years.[20]
Nola Blake Botany, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) January 1987 March 1998 Originally sentenced to death, later communted to life in prison. Received a Royal Pardon
Paul Hayward Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking (Heroin) 11 October 1978 7 April 1989 Sentenced to 30 years, received a pardon.[19]

A prisoner exchange agreement exists between Australia and Thailand allowing prisoner transfers.[21]

United States

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Mamdouh Habib Sydney, New South Wales 5 October 2001 28 January 2005 [22]
David Hicks Adelaide, South Australia November 2001 1 January 2008 Prisoner of the US Government held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on unlawful combatant charges.[23] Returned to Australia on 20 May 2007 to serve the remaining nine months of his sentence in Yatala Labour Prison, Adelaide.[24].
Jean-Philippe Wispelaere Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Espionage 15 May 1999 2015? Former Defence Intelligence Organisation officer who sought to sell secrets to a foreign power.[25]

Yugoslavia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Steve Pratt Brindabella, Australian Capital Territory Espionage 1999 September 2001 Former Australian military officer, aid worker and Liberal politician[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ Stephen Sutton website, Accessed 22 February 2006
  2. ^ [1], February 2006
  3. ^ Australian teen jailed for 13 years over heroin, The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 May 2005
  4. ^ Australian home after Fiji gay sex conviction overturned, The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 August 2005
  5. ^ Little help, no protest for Victorian jailed in Fiji, The Age, 20 August 2005
  6. ^ "Drug-accused model says she's a Muslim". The Australian. 29 August 2005. http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Drugaccused-model-says-shes-a-Muslim/2005/08/29/1125302502263.html. 
  7. ^ Forbes, Mark (27 November 2005). "Lost funds add to bribe speculation". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/lost-funds-add-to-bribe-speculation/2005/11/27/1133026350587.html. Retrieved 14 November 2007.  and Forbes, Mark (17 June 2006). "Leslie's confidant lifts the veil". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bribes-lies-and-the-burqa/2006/06/16/1149964746439.html?page=fullpage. Retrieved 14 November 2007. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bali Nine all lodge appeals, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 20 February 2006.
  9. ^ a b c d e Some Bali nine jail terms cut ABC News Online, 27 April 2006
  10. ^ 'I ask for you... to find me innocent', The Age, 29 April 2005
  11. ^ Govt to consult with Indonesia over death sentences, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 7.30 Report, 14 February 2006
  12. ^ Whatever happened to Laszlo Toth, the man who smashed Michelangelo's Pieta in 1972?, Guardian Unlimited, 26 February 2006
  13. ^ Australian Man in Kuwaiti Jail Says Govt Has Failed Him, Caged Prisoners, 18 May 2005
  14. ^ Foreign Prisoner Support Service, Tallaal Adrey Campaign
  15. ^ Kerry and Kay Danes pardoned in Laos, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 6 November 2001
  16. ^ a b Brian Chambers and Kevin Barlow executed in Malaysia, The Guardian, 7 July 1986.
  17. ^ a b They died at dawn, NineMSN, 30 November 2005
  18. ^ The toughest penalty, The Daily Telegraph, 15 February 2006
  19. ^ a b The Damage Done, Pan Macmillan Australia, 1997 [ISBN 1-84018-275-X]
  20. ^ a b Heroin addicts escape Thai death sentence, The Age, 5 July 2003
  21. ^ Asian jails not very good: Downer, The Age, 22 April 2005
  22. ^ Australian official saw Habib tortured: report
  23. ^ Hicks' time in custody ignored by Pentagon
  24. ^ Celebrity Hicks back in lockup - National - brisbanetimes.com.au
  25. ^ Australian spy sentenced to jail in the U.S.
  26. ^ Steve Pratt