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:

  • the prisoner was arrested and charged and / or convicted of notable crimes whilst abroad.
  • the prisoner is an otherwise notable person in Australia.

Argentina

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Stephen John SuttonSydney, New South WalesDrug trafficking4 February 2003November 2008Sentenced to 11 years. Released from prison in November 2008.[1]

Bulgaria

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Jock PalfreemanSydney, New South WalesMurder and woundingDecember 2007Sentenced to 20 years' jail.[2]

Cambodia

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Gordon VuongCampsie, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)January 20052018Sentenced to 13 years in May 2005.[3]

China

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Stern HuMelbourne, VictoriaStealing commercial secrets and receiving bribes5 July 2009Australian iron ore enterprise businessman. Sentenced to 10 years' jail.[4]
Kalynda DavisSydney, New South WalesNo conviction8 November 2014[5]9 December 2014
  • Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop intervened and negotiated Davis' release.[6]
  • No conviction  returned to Australia free.[7]
Henry ChhinSydney, New South WalesConvicted of trying to send 270 grams of methamphetamine to AustraliaMay 2004Sentenced to death in 2005. The sentence was suspended for two years. Current fate is unknown.[8]

Colombia

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Cassandra SainsburyAdelaide, South AustraliaDrug trafficking (cocaine)11 April 2017Sentenced to 6 years imprisonment[9]

Egypt

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Peter GresteBrisbane, QueenslandUsing unlicensed equipment to broadcast false information to defame and destabilise Egypt29 December 20131 February 2015 (deported)
  • Sentenced on 23 June 2014 to seven years imprisonment for using unlicensed equipment to broadcast false information to defame and destabilise Egypt.[10]
  • On 1 January 2015, the Court of Cassation announced a retrial. Release on bail was not permitted.
  • Released from prison on 1 February 2015 and deported from Egypt to face prison or trial in his home country.
  • Australia did not uphold conviction.

Fiji

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Thomas McCoskerWarrnambool, VictoriaSodomy3 April 200528 August 2005

Indonesia

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Schapelle CorbyGold Coast, QueenslandDrug trafficking (cannabis)8 October 200410 February 2014
  • 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.[13]
  • Released from Kerobokan Prison on Monday 10 February 2014 after being granted parole on Friday 7 February 2014. Of her original 20-year sentence, Corby only served 9 years and 259 days.[14]
Andrew ChanEnfield, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005Executed
  • Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006.
  • Executed by firing squad on 29 April 2015.[15]
Si Yi ChenDoonside, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[15]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[16]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006.
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008.
Michael CzugajOxley, QueenslandDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.[15]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[16]
  • Sentence increased to life on 6 September 2006.
Tan Duc Thanh NguyenWellington Point, QueenslandDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005died, 5 June 2018
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[15]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[16]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006.
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008.[17]
Matthew NormanQuakers Hill, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[15]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[16]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006.
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008.[18]
Scott RushChelmer, QueenslandDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006.[15]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006.
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment upon 11 May 2011 on appeal to the Indonesian Supreme Court.
Martin StephensTowradgi, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.[15]
Myuran SukumaranAuburn, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005Executed
  • Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006.
  • Executed by firing squad on 29 April 2015.[15]
Renae LawrenceNewcastle, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006.[15]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[16]
Michelle LeslieAdelaide, South AustraliaPossession of ecstasy tablets21 August 200519 November 2005
  • Controversially declared herself a Muslim during her imprisonment.[19]
  • It was alleged that some of her lawyers distributed bribes to secure her freedom.[20]
Michael SacatidesWentworthville, New South WalesDrug trafficking (methamphetamine)1 October 2010
  • Sentenced in 2011 to 18 years in Bali's Kerobokan Jail.[21]

A prisoner exchange agreement is currently being negotiated between Australia and Indonesia.[22]

Israel

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Denis Michael RohanSydney, New South WalesArson23 August 196914 May 1974Found to be insane, and hospitalised in a mental institution. Deported from Israel 14 May 1974, and reportedly died in 1995 under psychiatric care.

Italy

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Laszlo TothMelbourne, VictoriaVandalism21 May 19729 February 1975Vandalised Michelangelo's Pietà statue.[23]

Kuwait

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Tallaal AdreyAuburn, New South Wales*Weapons possession
*Weapons trading
*Ammunition possession
*Ammunition trading
14 February 20052009Sentenced to 4 years.[24][25]

Laos

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Kerry and Kay DanesBrisbane, QueenslandTax evasion
Embezzlement
Destruction of evidence
(pardoned and absolved)
23 December 20006 October 2001
  • Sentenced to seven years prison each
  • The Australian government intervened
  • Provisionally released 6 October 2001
  • Presidential pardon 6 November 2001[26]
  • Pardon absolved the Danes convictions
  • Both returned to Australia free

Malaysia

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Kevin Barlow (Barlow also was a British citizen)[27]Perth, Western AustraliaDrug trafficking (heroin)9 November 1983ExecutedExecuted by hanging on 7 July 1986.[28][29]
Brian ChambersPerth, Western AustraliaDrug trafficking (heroin)9 November 1983ExecutedExecuted by hanging on 7 July 1986.[28][29]
Michael McAuliffeSydney, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)29 June 1985ExecutedExecuted by hanging in June 1993.[30]
Maria Elvira Pinto ExpostoSydney, New South WalesDrug trafficking (methamphetamine)December 2014Imprisoned, on death row[31]Sentenced to death on 24 May 2018

North Korea

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
John ShortBarmera, South AustraliaCirculation of Christian literature at a Buddhist temple16 February 20143 March 2014
  • Was originally arrested for missionary work in North Korea.
  • He subsequently apologized on television.
  • Released 3 March 2014 and was deported.

Singapore

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Van Tuong NguyenMelbourne, VictoriaDrug trafficking (heroin)12 December 2002ExecutedExecuted by hanging on 2 December 2005.

South Africa (Limpopo)

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Harry 'Breaker' Harbord MorantQueensland, New South Wales and South AustraliaWar Crimes24 October 1901ExecutedExecuted by firing squad on 27 February 1902.
Peter HandcockNew South WalesWar Crimes24 October 1901ExecutedExecuted by firing squad on 27 February 1902.

Sri Lanka

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Reg SpiersAdelaide, South AustraliaDrug trafficking (heroin)1 December 19841987Sentenced to death, acquitted on appeal.[32]

Thailand

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Warren FellowsSydney, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)11 October 197811 January 1990Sentenced to life, received a pardon.[33]
Paul HaywardSydney, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)11 October 19787 April 1989Sentenced to 30 years, received a pardon.[33]
Nola BlakeBotany, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)January 1987March 1998Originally sentenced to death, later commuted to life in prison. Received a Royal Pardon.
Holly Deane-JohnsWestern AustraliaDrug trafficking (heroin)August 2000December 2012Sentenced to 31 years. Transferred to Bandyup Women's Prison in Australia in late 2007.[34]
Robert HalliwellSydney, New South WalesDrug trafficking (heroin)August 2000Arrested 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.[34]

A prisoner exchange agreement exists between Australia and Thailand allowing prisoner transfers.[35]

United Arab Emirates

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Samandar Hout KilaniAfghanistan / AustraliaRobberyJuly 2011September 20133-year prison sentence in Dubai's Central Jail.[36]

United Kingdom

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Rolf HarrisBassendean, Western AustraliaIndecent assaultAugust 201319 May 2017 Sentenced to 5 years and 9 months imprisonment on 4 July 2014.

United States

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Jean-Philippe WispelaereCanberra, Australian Capital TerritoryEspionage15 May 19992012Former Defence Intelligence Organisation officer who sought to sell secrets to a foreign power.[37][38]
Mamdouh HabibSydney, New South Wales5 October 200128 January 2005[39]
David HicksAdelaide, South AustraliaNovember 20011 January 2008Prisoner of the US Government held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on unlawful combatant charges.[40] Returned to Australia on 20 May 2007 to serve the remaining nine months of his sentence in Yatala Labour Prison, Adelaide.[41]

Vietnam

PrisonerFromConvictionsArrestedRelease dateNotes
Pham Trung DungVietnam / AustraliaDrug trafficking (heroin)May 2013Sentenced to death on 27 June 2014.[42]

See also

References

  1. Stephen Sutton website. Retrieved 22 February 2006
  2. , 4 March 2014
  3. Australian teen jailed for 13 years over heroin Archived 12 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine., The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 May 2005
  4. "Foreign Minister slams Chinese as Stern Hu gets 10-year jail sentence". Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  5. "From a fresh-faced high school student to a death row inmate in China". Daily Mail. United Kingdom. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  6. http://www.news.com.au/national/kalynda-davis-home-after-being-released-by-china-without-charge/story-fncynjr2-1227150017646 |accessdate=15 December 2014
  7. "ice smuggling allegations, allowed to return home without charge". ABC News. Australia. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  8. "Four Australians have been put to death for drug offences overseas in recent times". SBS News article. Australia. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  9. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-02/cassie-sainsbury-sentenced-to-prison-for-six-years-in-colombia/9110064
  10. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-24/hardaker-greste-another-victim-of-bloody-minded-regime/5545346
  11. Australian home after Fiji gay sex conviction overturned, The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 August 2005
  12. Little help, no protest for Victorian jailed in Fiji, The Age, 20 August 2005
  13. 'I ask for you... to find me innocent', The Age, 29 April 2005
  14. http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/02/10/schapelle-corby-will-be-released-today-0
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bali Nine all lodge appeals, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 20 February 2006.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Some Bali nine jail terms cut ABC News Online, 27 April 2006
  17. "Drug-accused model says she's a Muslim". The Australian. 29 August 2005.
  18. Forbes, Mark (27 November 2005). "Lost funds add to bribe speculation". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2007. and Forbes, Mark (17 June 2006). "Leslie's confidant lifts the veil". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
  19. Govt to consult with Indonesia over death sentences, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 7.30 Report, 14 February 2006
  20. Whatever happened to Laszlo Toth, the man who smashed Michelangelo's Pieta in 1972?, Guardian Unlimited, 26 February 2006
  21. Australian Man in Kuwaiti Jail Says Govt Has Failed Him Archived 4 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine., Caged Prisoners, 18 May 2005
  22. Foreign Prisoner Support Service, Tallaal Adrey Campaign Archived 26 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine.
  23. Kerry and Kay Danes pardoned in Laos Archived 17 July 2005 at the Wayback Machine., Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 6 November 2001
  24. https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1986/jul/07/fromthearchive
  25. 1 2 Brian Chambers and Kevin Barlow executed in Malaysia, The Guardian, 7 July 1986.
  26. 1 2 They died at dawn Archived 27 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine., NineMSN, 30 November 2005
  27. The toughest penalty, The Daily Telegraph, 15 February 2006
  28. Griffiths, James (24 May 2018). "Australian grandmother sentenced to death by hanging for drug smuggling". CNN. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  29. "Spiers has to wait for drug case sentencing". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 January 1988. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  30. 1 2 The Damage Done, Pan Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 1-84018-275-X
  31. 1 2 Heroin addicts escape Thai death sentence, The Age, 5 July 2003
  32. Asian jails not very good: Downer, The Age, 22 April 2005
  33. Steve Pratt
  34. Australian spy sentenced to jail in the U.S.
  35. Bucci, Nino; Inman, Michael (29 October 2012). "Spy was identified through psychic, author says". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 December 2016. The 41-year-old was released earlier this year
  36. Australian official saw Habib tortured: report
  37. Hicks' time in custody ignored by Pentagon
  38. Celebrity Hicks back in lockup – National – brisbanetimes.com.au
  39. Australian man Pham Trung Dung sentenced to death for heroin in Vietnam
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