TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Court orders Australian national to undergo drug rehabilitation
Change Size
Joshua James Baker, 32, attends his trial for drug possession at the Denpasar District Court on March 27. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani)
D
enpasar District Court in Bali ruled on Tuesday that Australian citizen Joshua James Baker, 32, was guilty of abusing drugs; hence, he must undergo a drug rehabilitation program. The sentence was far lighter than the one-year imprisonment sought by prosecutors.
In the verdict, presiding judge I Wayan Kawisada ordered Baker to undergo a 10-month rehabilitation program; however, the detention period during his legal process would also be calculated.
“After considering the testimony of witnesses, evidence and the defendant’s statement, the panel of judges agrees with prosecutors that the defendant is guilty of violating Article 127 of Law No.35/2009 on Narcotics and Article 62 of Law No.5/1997 on Psychotropics,” said Kawisada.
However, the judge added, the panel was of an opinion that the defendant was a drug abuse victim. “He had been influenced by his environment, which was problematic. He also has psychiatric problems,” said Kawisada.
Kawisada said there was no evidence that he had been involved in a drug syndicate. “There are statements from doctors revealing that the defendant has used drugs since he was 11 years old,” the judge said.
Several psychiatrists heard during Baker’s trial stated that the defendant suffered from drug addiction and mental disorders, he added.
Baker decided he would not file an appeal. Prosecutor Assri Susantina said the prosecution team would consider whether they would appeal.
Baker was arrested in October 2017 by I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport customs and excise personnel upon his arrival from Bangkok. He was in possession of 28.02 grams of tobacco mixed with marijuana and 37 diazepam pills. (ebf)
