Pregnant Brit Gets Life Sentence in Laos

(NEWSER) - The mom of a pregnant London woman who may face a Laotian firing squad for drug smuggling pleaded with government officials to save "my baby, my angel," reports the Telegraph. "I'm appealing to the British government, to the Laos authorities, to please release her. I'm down on my knees. Please bring her back to me," begged Jane Orobator. More»

20-year-old accused of drug smuggling denies she was raped in prison

(NEWSER) - A pregnant British woman jailed in Laos could be allowed to serve her sentence in the UK if she is found guilty of drug smuggling, CNN reports. British and Laotian officials signed a prisoner transfer agreement yesterday after meeting in London to discuss the case of Samantha Orobator, 20, who is expected to go on trial next week. More»

(NEWSER) - A young pregnant Londoner could face a firing squad in Laos if she's convicted of drug smuggling charges in a trial that begins today, reports the Guardian. Samantha Orobator, 20, has not been allowed legal representation in the nine months she has been languishing in notorious Phonthong prison, and it's not known how she became pregnant during that time. "She is five months pregnant, without ever having met a lawyer, facing a show trial for her life," says a British attorney. More»

Law prohibits execution of those with child; lawyer still can't see her

(NEWSER) - Samantha Orobator, the Briton jailed in Laos on heroin-smuggling charges, will not face the death penalty because she is pregnant, CNN reports. The 20-year-old was, however, denied access to a British attorney who flew in with assurances they could meet. The lawyer “was refused her first visit,” a UK human-rights group said, and “the Laotians are now saying that she will not be permitted to visit.” More»

'It's a disgrace,' cops grumbles.

(NEWSER) - The inauguration of a new president apparently represents very different opportunities to different people. An upstate New York drug crew has been busted for selling "Obama brand" heroin, reports the New York Daily News. Police seized marijuana and heroin packets, most of them stamped with the name "Obama" in red. "It's an absolute disgrace," said a police official. More»