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List of Australians imprisoned or executed abroad

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This list of Australians imprisoned or executed abroad includes those cases where:

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

Argentina

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Stephen John Sutton Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking 4 February 2003 November 2008 Sentenced to 11 years. Released from prison in November 2008.[1]

Bulgaria

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Jock Palfreeman Sydney, New South Wales Murder and wounding December 2007 Paroled in September 2019 Sentenced to 20 years' jail.[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]

China

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Stern Hu Melbourne, Victoria Stealing commercial secrets and receiving bribes 5 July 2009 July 2018 Australian iron ore enterprise businessman. Sentenced to 10 years' jail.[4]
Kalynda Davis Sydney, New South Wales No conviction 8 November 2014[5] 9 December 2014
  • Arrested for allegedly smuggling 30kg of ice and faced execution if convicted.[5]
  • Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop intervened and negotiated Davis' release.[6]
  • No conviction – returned to Australia free.[7]
Henry Chin Sydney, New South Wales Convicted of trying to send 270 grams of methamphetamine to Australia May 2004 Sentenced to death in 2005. The sentence was suspended for two years. Current fate is unknown.[8]
Karm Gilespie Ballarat, Victoria Smuggling 7.5 kg of methamphetamine out of China 2013 Death sentence announced on 10 June by Guangzhou District Court after having been missing for 7 years[9]

Colombia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Cassandra Sainsbury Adelaide, South Australia Drug trafficking (cocaine) 11 April 2017 16 April 2020 Sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment.[10] Paroled after 3 years; remained in Colombia for 23 months and deported.

Egypt

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Peter Greste Brisbane, Queensland Using unlicensed equipment to broadcast false information to defame and destabilise Egypt 29 December 2013 1 February 2015 (deported)
  • 23 June 2014: Sentenced to seven years' jail.[11]
  • 1 January 2015: Court of Cassation announced retrial.
  • 1 February 2015: Deported to Australia to face prison or trial in his home country. (Australia not uphold either).
  • 29 August 2015: Egyptian retrial sentenced Greste in absentia to another three years. Sentence avoided because he did not return to Egypt.
  • If full sentences served, Greste would have been incarcerated until December 2023.

Fiji

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Thomas McCosker Warrnambool, Victoria Sodomy 3 April 2005 28 August 2005
  • Sentenced to 2 years' jail for sodomy.
  • Conviction overturned on constitutional grounds on 26 August 2005.[12][13]

Indonesia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Schapelle Corby Gold Coast, Queensland Drug trafficking (cannabis) 8 October 2004 10 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.[14]
  • 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.[15]
Andrew Chan Enfield, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005 Executed
  • Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006.
  • Executed by firing squad on 29 April 2015.[16]
Si Yi Chen Doonside, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[16]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[17]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006.
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment on 15 March 2008.
Michael Czugaj Oxley, Queensland Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.[16]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[17]
  • Sentence increased to life on 6 September 2006.
Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen Wellington Point, Queensland Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005 Died 9 May 2018
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[16]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[17]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006.
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment on 15 March 2008.[18]
  • Died from stomach cancer on 9 May 2018
Matthew Norman Quakers Hill, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006.[16]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[17]
  • Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006.
  • Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008.[18]
Scott Rush Chelmer, Queensland Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006.[16]
  • 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 Stephens Towradgi, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006.[16]
Myuran Sukumaran Auburn, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005 Executed
  • Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006.
  • Executed by firing squad on 29 April 2015.[16]
Renae Lawrence Newcastle, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 17 April 2005 21 November 2018
  • Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006.[16]
  • Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006.[17]
  • Released and deported on 21 November 2018
Michelle Leslie Adelaide, South Australia Possession of ecstasy tablets 21 August 2005 19 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 Sacatides Wentworthville, New South Wales Drug 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

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Denis Michael Rohan Sydney Arson attack 23 August 1969 14 May 1974 Found to be insane, and hospitalised in a mental institution. Deported from Israel 14 May 1974, and reportedly died in 1995 under psychiatric care.

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.[23][24]

Laos

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Kerry and Kay Danes Brisbane, Queensland Tax evasion
Embezzlement
Destruction of evidence
(pardoned and absolved)		 23 December 2000 6 October 2001
  • Sentenced to seven years prison each
  • The Australian government intervened
  • Provisionally released 6 October 2001
  • The Danes agreed to pay court-ordered $AUD1.1 million in fines and compensation in four equal instalments
  • Presidential pardon 6 November 2001[25]
  • Pardon absolved the Danes convictions
  • Both returned to Australia free

Marshall Islands

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Carl Heine Singleton, New South Wales No trial 1942 Executed Executed by beheading in April 1944.[26]

Malaysia

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Kevin Barlow
(a dual British citizen)[27]		 Perth, Western Australia Drug trafficking (heroin) 9 November 1983 Executed Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986.[28][29]
Brian Chambers Perth, Western Australia Drug trafficking (heroin) 9 November 1983 Executed Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986.[28][29]
Michael McAuliffe Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 29 June 1985 Executed Executed by hanging in June 1993.[30]
Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking (methamphetamine) December 2014 26 November 2019[31] Acquitted by the Malaysian High Court and ordered immediate release.

New Zealand

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Brenton Tarrant Grafton, New South Wales Murder

Attempted murder Terrorism

15 March 2019 Trial date listed for 2 June 2020. Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on 27 August 2020[32]

North Korea

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
John Short Barmera, South Australia Circulation of Christian literature at a Buddhist temple 16 February 2014 3 March 2014
  • Was originally arrested for missionary work in North Korea.
  • He subsequently apologised on television.
  • Released 3 March 2014 and was deported.

Philippines

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Peter Scully Melbourne, Victoria Human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and torture of children 20 February 2015 Sentenced to life in prison in 2018, and received an additional 129 years for a second conviction in 2022.

Singapore

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Robert Page and nine others Various – members of Z Special Unit Perfidy and espionage (Operation Rimau) December 1944 – January 1945 Executed Executed by beheading on 7 July 1945.[33]
Van Tuong Nguyen Melbourne, Victoria Drug trafficking (heroin) 12 December 2002 Executed Executed by hanging on 2 December 2005.

South African Republic (Transvaal)

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Harry Harbord 'Breaker' Morant Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia War crimes 23 October 1901 Executed Executed by firing squad on 27 February 1902.
Peter Handcock New South Wales War crimes 23 October 1901 Executed Executed by firing squad on 27 February 1902.
George Witton Victoria, Australia War crimes 23 October 1901 11 August 1904 Sentenced to death by firing squad, which was commuted to life in prison. Released early due to public and political pressure in England and Australia.

Sri Lanka

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Reg Spiers Adelaide, South Australia Drug trafficking (heroin) 1 December 1984 1987 Sentenced to death, acquitted on appeal.[34]

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.[35]
Paul Hayward Sydney, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) 11 October 1978 7 April 1989 Sentenced to 30 years, received a pardon.[35]
Nola Blake Botany, New South Wales Drug trafficking (heroin) January 1987 March 1998 Originally sentenced to death, later commuted to life in prison. Received a Royal Pardon.
Holly Deane-Johns Western Australia Drug trafficking (heroin) August 2000 December 2012 Sentenced to 31 years. Transferred to Bandyup Women's Prison in Australia in late 2007.[36]
Robert Halliwell Sydney 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 life imprisonment.[36]

A prisoner exchange agreement exists between Australia and Thailand allowing prisoner transfers.[37]

United Arab Emirates

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Samandar Hout Kilani Afghanistan / Australia Robbery July 2011 September 2013 3 year prison sentence in Dubai's Central Jail.[38]

United Kingdom

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Rolf Harris Bassendean, Western Australia Indecent assault August 2013 19 May 2017 Sentenced to 5 years and 9 months' imprisonment on 4 July 2014.
Julian Assange Townsville, Queensland Skipping bail 11 April 2019 Sentenced to 50 weeks' imprisonment on 1 May 2019

United States

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Jean-Philippe Wispelaere Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Espionage 15 May 1999 2012 Former Defence Intelligence Organisation officer who sought to sell secrets to a foreign power.[39][40]
Mamdouh Habib Sydney, New South Wales none 5 October 2001 28 January 2005 Arrested in 2001, Habib was interrogated by Pakistani and US CIA agents before being transferred to Egypt, then to a black site in Afghanistan, where he was further interrogated under torture. Transferred to Guantanamo Bay detention camp in 2002. Released without charge in 2005.[41]
David Hicks Adelaide, South Australia Unlawful combatant November 2001 1 January 2008 Prisoner of the US Government held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on unlawful combatant charges.[42] Returned to Australia on 20 May 2007 to serve the remaining nine months of his sentence in Yatala Labour Prison, Adelaide.[43]
Russell Moore[a] Melbourne, Victoria Murder

Robbery

Sexual assault

1988 Deceased Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 1991 for the murder, robbery and sexual assault of Barbara Barber in Melbourne, Florida.

Died in custody at the Apalachee Correctional Institution on 2 June 2021.[44]

Vietnam

Prisoner From Convictions Arrested Release date Notes
Phạm Trung Dũng Vietnam / Australia Drug trafficking (heroin) May 2013 Sentenced to death on 27 June 2014.[45]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Also known by adoptive name, James Hudson Savage.

References

  1. ^ Stephen Sutton website. Retrieved 22 February 2006
  2. ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/jock-palfreeman-and-michelle-leslie-are-just-two-of-many-aussie-tourists-jailed-overseas-for-crimes-they-say-they-did-not-commit/story-fni0ffnk-1226843547601 , 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. ^ a b https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/kalynda-daviss-new-life-after-china-drug-arrest/news-story/8a2eff34e75363eadf5b0aa26dd0e750
  6. ^ "Kalynda Davis home after being released by China without charge". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2014.[title missing]
  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. ^ Singhal, Eryk Bagshaw, Rachael Dexter, Pallavi (14 June 2020). "Australian actor's journey to a Chinese death sentence". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Cassie Sainsbury sentenced to six years in Colombian jail for trafficking cocaine". ABC News. November 2017.
  11. ^ "Greste another victim of bloody-minded regime". ABC News. 23 June 2014.
  12. ^ Australian home after Fiji gay sex conviction overturned, The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 August 2005
  13. ^ Little help, no protest for Victorian jailed in Fiji, The Age, 20 August 2005
  14. ^ 'I ask for you... to find me innocent', The Age, 29 April 2005
  15. ^ "Freed Corby still to show her face".
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bali Nine all lodge appeals, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 20 February 2006.
  17. ^ a b c d e Some Bali nine jail terms cut ABC News Online, 27 April 2006
  18. ^ a b "Bali three have death sentences commuted - CNN.com". www.cnn.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Drug-accused model says she's a Muslim". The Australian. 29 August 2005.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Australian Man Michael Sacatides Gets 18 Years Jail In Bali For Importing 17kg Of Methamphetamine".
  22. ^ Govt to consult with Indonesia over death sentences, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 7.30 Report, 14 February 2006
  23. ^ Australian Man in Kuwaiti Jail Says Govt Has Failed Him Archived 4 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Caged Prisoners, 18 May 2005
  24. ^ Foreign Prisoner Support Service, Tallaal Adrey Campaign Archived 26 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Kerry and Kay Danes pardoned in Laos Archived 17 July 2005 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 6 November 2001
  26. ^ Garrett, John (1994). "Unintentionally a Missionary: Carl Heine, an Australian in the Marshall Islands" (PDF). South Pacific Journal of Mission Studies (11). South Pacific Association for Mission Studies: 16–20.
  27. ^ "Brian Chambers and Kevin Barlow executed in Malaysia". TheGuardian.com. 7 July 1986.
  28. ^ a b Brian Chambers and Kevin Barlow executed in Malaysia, The Guardian, 7 July 1986.
  29. ^ a b They died at dawn Archived 27 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine, NineMSN, 30 November 2005
  30. ^ The toughest penalty, The Daily Telegraph, 15 February 2006
  31. ^ Doherty, Ben (26 November 2019). "Sydney woman Maria Exposto has drug conviction and death sentence overturned in Malaysia". The Guardian.
  32. ^ "Christchurch mosque shooting trial delayed for Ramadan". Stuff. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  33. ^ Lithgow, Shirley (2000). "Robert Charles Page (1920–1945)". Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  34. ^ "Spiers has to wait for drug case sentencing". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 January 1988. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  35. ^ a b The Damage Done, Pan Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 1-84018-275-X
  36. ^ a b Heroin addicts escape Thai death sentence, The Age, 5 July 2003
  37. ^ Asian jails not very good: Downer, The Age, 22 April 2005
  38. ^ Steve Pratt
  39. ^ Australian spy sentenced to jail in the U.S.
  40. ^ 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
  41. ^ Australian official saw Habib tortured: report
  42. ^ Hicks' time in custody ignored by Pentagon
  43. ^ Celebrity Hicks back in lockup
  44. ^ Pearson, Erin (3 June 2021). "Indigenous man dies in US prison following 30-year fight to come home". smh.com.au. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  45. ^ "Australian man Pham Trung Dung sentenced to death for heroin in Vietnam". Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
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