Aussie Writer Gets 3 Years for Thai Insult

Thaksin supporter vows to appeal

(NEWSER) - A supporter of Thailand's exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was sentenced to 18 years in prison for insulting the monarchy in what free speech campaigners describe as a severe attack on political dissent, Reuters reports. The 46-year-old woman was arrested last year after a fiery speech denouncing the 2006 coup that forced Thaksin from power. Critics of the law say it is prone to abuse, because anyone can bring a complaint no matter how minor the offense. More»

Taking of soldier's clothes on Wednesday 'not punitive': Marines

(NEWSER) - The jailed soldier accused of leaking secret documents to WikiLeaks was forced to strip and was held naked for seven hours on Wednesday, his lawyer said on his website. Bradley Manning got his clothes back yesterday morning, after he was made to stand outside his cell during an inspection, the lawyer added. “This type of degrading treatment is inexcusable and without justification,” the post said. “No other detainee at the brig is forced to endure this type of isolation and humiliation.” More»

Forget your ID in Japan, and end up in the pokey

(NEWSER) - An African safari is likely to be a bit more exciting than a day at Disney Land, but there comes a point where enough is enough. Turner Wright, writing in Vagabondish , runs down seven travel ideas that'll get you killed—or at least some quality time in the local clink:

• Running drugs, southeast Asia: Getting caught can put you on the wrong end of a firing squad or noose in places like China, Laos, and Singapore.
• Forgetting ID, Japan: Foreign residents who fail to carry their gaijin card at all times can get 23 days in the pokey.

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi journalist jailed for throwing shoes at President Bush last year could be out as soon as Monday, his lawyer tells CNN today. Muntadar al-Zaidi had a 3-year sentence reduced to 1 on appeal, and that can be cut further for good behavior. “We are happy,” one of his brothers says, “like any detainee’s family would be happy for the release of its son after the bitter time he spent in jail.” More»

States opt for cheaper routes to justice

(NEWSER) - With the recession squeezing their finances, many states are opting to cut the high costs surrounding incarceration—meaning fewer criminals are heading to jail and prison, and more are getting out earlier, the Washington Post reports. Some states are sending drug offenders and drunk drivers to special courts that allow them to avoid jail; states are also shortening probation and making parole more available to those who are eligible. More»