Black woman impregnanted by blood-thirsty Asians while awaiting execution for "drug-trafficking," sentence commuted to life.

[something else]

Pregnant Briton Gets Life Sentence in Laos

AP
Samantha Orobator, here in an undated file photo, faced death by firing squad in Laos on drug trafficking charges, but was given life in prison because she's pregnant.


VIENTIANE, Laos (June 3) - A court in Laos found a pregnant British woman guilty of trafficking heroin and sentenced her to life in prison Wednesday, a court official said.
The life sentence for 20-year-old Samantha Orobator came after a one-day trial in the Lao capital, according to Chanthaly Duangvilai, vice president of the Vientiane Court.
Orobator pleaded guilty, he said at a press briefing after the trial.
Heroin trafficking is punishable by death, but she was spared because Lao law does not allow the execution of pregnant women, said Chanthaly.
Under a recent pact, which still needs ratification, Orobator could be extradited to serve her time in Britain. Lao officials, however, could still veto her return.
Orobator's case attracted particular attention because she became pregnant while incarcerated. Lao officials have asserted that she may have artificially inseminated herself while behind bars.
Orobator arrived in court wearing a blue prison outfit and smiling to reporters. She was escorted by female prison guards but was not in handcuffs or ankle chains.
Her mother also attended the trial, as did at least one official from the British Embassy in neighboring Thailand. sent. Security around the courthouse was tight.
Her mother looked visibly distressed leaving court after the trial, but Orobator appeared calm.
Police said they found 1.5 pounds of heroin in 68 capsules on Orobator's body when she was arrested at Vientiane airport on her way to Australia. The British legal charity Reprieve, which has been publicizing Orobator's plight, says the drugs were found in her luggage.
Orobator was arrested last August, but her case didn't draw international attention until news of her pregnancy became public in early May amid concerns that she could be executed by firing squad if found guilty.
The Lao government later confirmed that under the country's criminal law, a pregnant woman cannot receive the death penalty, but officials delayed her scheduled trial date in May because of questions about how she became pregnant.
According to Lao officials, Orobator initially told authorities she was pregnant by her boyfriend in England, but tests after she was arrested showed no signs of pregnancy. It was not until March 2 that a hospital test showed she was pregnant, verified by a second test April 4, police said. That meant she must have gotten pregnant while in prison, they said.
Orobator's mother recently said her daughter had not been raped by prison officials or fellow prisoners, as some media had speculated.
The Vientiane Times on Tuesday quoted police as saying Orobator told authorities she secretly obtained sperm from a fellow prisoner to impregnate herself to avoid the death penalty. The state-run newspaper did not name the sources or give other details.
Orobator was in jail and so could not be reached to confirm or deny the newspaper account.

[Gullah*Gotham*Glitter]

So that title was a little scary.

A lot of this just doesn't seem to add up at all. It seems like Orobator is holding back some stuff as well as prison officials. If the place is so locked down tight how did she get knocked up? And there is a huge difference between finding drugs on your person and finding drugs in your luggage that could've been out of your possession for a period of time.

And I've never heard of a one day trial before, even if a person has plead guilty. And how can you artifically impregnant yourself in prison? I know that prisoners can get real creative in their but if anything all of this is making that particular prison look really bad. If she's lucky she'll get extrodited back to the UK where they may even cummute her sentence to a lesser charge. Hope her mom feels like raising another kid.

I personally would rather be excuted than to spend the rest of my natural life in a foreign prison.

[Christopher Irving]

El Machetero said:

jahluv wrote:
So what about all the Black people here in the US of A who are doing life and or facing the death penalty for drug dealing charges? What makes Laos/Laotions and their justice system so much more blood thirsty than ours? Kids are born in prison all the time here in the US, female prisoners get knocked up and raped by guards here in the US too...

Yea, no shit.

DAAAAMN STRAIGHT!!!!

[BlaqJeff]

Tsk Tsk Tsk!
I've been to a few foreign countries, and the only one that I got high in was Holland, in the city of Amsterdam. Even then, I was a little skittish about it. It's still illegal. You could go to jail for possession in Amsterdam. It very rarely happens,but it's still a possibility.
When you go to a foreign country it behooves you to find out what that country is like. If your going to engage in any illicit activity, find out what the laws are. You do not want to be in a foreign prison.
As far as Laos, it's their country and it's their stupid laws. You have to follow them or else. Honestly, if she did possess heroine, then oh well. Good luck!

[Death is Drunk]

This what happens when 'foreigners' think the entire universe revolves around them.

[foxtrot oscar]

In other circimstances I would have been happy to comment on this story since it's been a controversial news story here, but your thread title wording irks me too much to even bother.

[something else]

OK, I went over-the-top on the story. I just find the sentence ridiculous and the circumstances of her pregnancy to be revolting. I could've said that without all the color commentary, I realize this. And don't get the wrong idea: I'm not "racist" (not that blacks can be "racist" any way) against Asians at all...I freakin' adore stir fry, Playstation and Bruce Lee.

[Princess Jasmine]

Gullah*Gotham*Glitter said:

.

And I've never heard of a one day trial before, even if a person has plead guilty. And how can you artifically impregnant yourself in prison? .

Thats my question exactly. How the heck do you smuggle that in....

I didn't know they still did firing squad executions (in the english speaking parts of the world...) and for herion trafficing??

[LesYpersound]

the opium/heroin drug trade = corruption, terrorism (for everybody! esp locals), instability
i'm not sure why y'all keep trying to downgrade the seriousness of the issue.

[foxtrot oscar]

this is MY world, get your own! said:

OK, I went over-the-top on the story. I just find the sentence ridiculous and the circumstances of her pregnancy to be revolting. I could've said that without all the color commentary, I realize this. And don't get the wrong idea: I'm not "racist" (not that blacks can be "racist" any way) against Asians at all...I freakin' adore stir fry, Playstation and Bruce Lee.

right...

Anyway, it is well known that many Asian countries take a hard line approach regarding drug offences and often have brutal prison regimes. As Jahluv pointed out there are many parallels between these Laotion justice system and that of the United States.

In addition, in the last few days it has been reported locally that she was not raped/coerced in performing sexual acts etc whilst on remand (which I'll assume prompted your choice of language). A Laotion newspaper and police have stated that she smuggled sperm from an male inmate, another briton in custody for drug smuggling and distribution offences, and subsequently impregnated herself as a means of escaping the death penalty. UK newspapers have also interviewed his family who have confirmed the story and are said to be excited about the pregnancy.

I think the only issues here are the fairness of trial and the welfare her unborn child. She was sentenced to life imprisonment last week and as this is her first offence and speculation that she has been detained under duress she will most probably be transfered back to the UK to complete any sentencing.

[foxtrot oscar]

*read thread title amendments*

thank you for making me reach the end of my tether about the veiled and plain obvious racism, sexism and all the other nasty pointless shit that idiots feel the need share on this site.

[Garnett Alcindor]

i agree

jahluv said:

So what about all the Black people here in the US of A who are doing life and or facing the death penalty for drug dealing charges? What makes Laos/Laotions and their justice system so much more blood thirsty than ours? Kids are born in prison all the time here in the US, female prisoners get knocked up and raped by guards here in the US too...

this is MY world, get your own! said:

LesYpersound said:

that title (Black woman impregnanted by blood-thirsty Asians while awaiting execution for "drug-trafficking," sentence commuted to life.) is excessively long and stupid...in addition to being misleading.

"Lao officials have asserted that she may have artificially inseminated herself while behind bars."

"Orobator's mother recently said her daughter had not been raped by prison officials or fellow prisoners, as some media had speculated."

"The Vientiane Times on Tuesday quoted police as saying Orobator told authorities she secretly obtained sperm from a fellow prisoner to impregnate herself to avoid the death penalty."

britons, aussies, and anyone else who pays attention to international news (or even watches movies g'damn) KNOWS that if you're caught smuggling drugs in southeast asia you can and will be executed.

so screw your misleading race-baiting and hate-mongering title.

These Asians are cold, bloodthirsty people. They're murdering and issuing life sentences as penalties for drugtrafficking--outrageous. Besides that, you seem more concerned with being PC than the fate of a black person in the clutches of these monsters. I'm not. And with that said, who knows what other crazy laws they have on the books...I think I'll avoid these sorts of backwards, extreme cesspools.

As for how she was impregnanted, if she did implant herself with some Asian's semen to dodge the death sentence, it might as well have been rape if you ask me. Same difference!

[Garnett Alcindor]

I believe that trafficking rules are very strict in many countries... yes they are. However, understand what drugs has and can do humans. If i was a ruler of a foreign country, i'd have a MAJOR problem with people bringing in heroin in my fkn country too. Fuck that. Now, I think that she should be tried in Britain's court not their court.

On a better note... i will be at Afro Punks shin dig this summer and i cant wait baby! Awwwwooooo