Minister Finds Kerobokan Jail Unfit for Aussie Boy, Transfers Him to Immigration Centre
The Morisset Park boy charged with drug possession in Bali will not be detained at the harsh Kerobokan prison as Indonesia's law and human rights minister decided it was unfit for him.
The intercession of Minister Amir Syamsuddin, who has close ties with President Susilo BambangYudhoyono, in the case of the Australian teenager came after he inspected the prison on Saturday and found it inhumane for prisoners.
The minister then convinced Bali Justice Ministry head Taswem Tarib and National Police chief Timur Pradopo to keep the accused in a motel-like room at the beachside immigration detention centre in Jimbaran while a better detention facility is readied. An arrangement is also being worked out so he could stay there after the deadline of police to hand him over to prosecutors on Nov. 4.
Syamsuddin explained his decision to the press in a conference at the immigration centre with the boy, his lawyer and his parents present.
The boy wore sunglasses and a mask similar to the one used by the cannibalistic character Hannibal Lecter in the movie Silence of the Lambs. He did not talked to the media.
The 14-year-old boy had spent 19 days inside a cell at the police station in Denpasar pending his trial and was set for transfer to Kerokoban. The transfer now puts him in a "special room" with a bathroom, hot water, open courtyard and possibly Internet access.
The boy was caught buying 3.6 grams of marijuana from a Kuta street dealer on Oct. 4. A conviction from the charges will send him to prison or a drug rehabilitation facility.