A pregnant British drug smuggler jailed for life by a court in Laos will be allowed to serve her sentence in Britain, a Lao government official said today.
Samantha Orobator (20), who became pregnant in a Vientiane prison while awaiting trial, will be eligible for transfer to Britain following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on Tuesday.
Orobator’s mother Jane is a fulltime student at Trinity College Dublin and lives with three of her other children, who are aged between nine and 14, in Castleknock, Dublin.
"An MOU was signed concerning the transfer of sentenced prisoners and that will allow her to serve her term in Britain," said government spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing.
"We don't know when that will take place, but we hope that can be very soon."
A Lao court sentenced Orobator on June 3rd.
She was arrested at Vientiane's Wattay airport last August with more than 0.6 kg (1.3lbs) of heroin.
Although the amount of heroin Orobator was carrying exceeded the statutory minimum for the death penalty, Lao officials had assured British ministers she would not face capital punishment.
Legal charity Reprieve said Nigerian-born Orobator was due to give birth in September, although mystery still surrounds how she conceived while behind bars.
Reuters