An Indonesian court jailed two Australians for life today after ignoring a request for leniency from prosecutors for one of the defendants because of her co-operation in the case.
Prosecutors had sought 20 years' jail for Renae Lawrence, the only female among nine young Australians caught last April trying to smuggle more than 8.2 kilos of heroin from Bali to Australia.
Renae Lawrence weeps in her cell at a Denpasar court after she was sentenced to life in jail for drug trafficking today
After her verdict was handed down, another member of the group, Scott Rush, was also given a life sentence, in line with prosecution demands.
The rest of the verdicts are expected this week, including those for two men whom prosecutors want executed over accusations they masterminded the operation.
In its ruling, the Denpasar District Court said Lawrence's good behaviour and co-operation was no different to several other defendants. "Their roles in this case are almost the same," Judge I Gusti Ngurah Astawa told the court.
It is unclear whether Lawrence (28) will appeal. Rush's lawyer said he would appeal.
Lawrence and Rush were caught at Bali's international airport with packages of heroin taped to their bodies as they prepared to board a flight to Sydney.
All members of the group, dubbed the "Bali Nine" by Australian media, have faced charges that carry the maximum penalty of death by firing squad.
Lawrence was the only member for whom the demand was less than life. Prosecutors said they sought a more lenient term because she was helpful in giving statements during the investigation that helped authorities uncover evidence about the operation.