Andrew Chan
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| Andrew Chan | |
|---|---|
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| Born | January 12, 1984 |
| Alias(es) | Bali Nine |
| Conviction(s) | Drug trafficking |
| Penalty | Death penalty |
| Status | Imprisoned (Indonesia) |
| Occupation | Caterer |
Andrew Chan (born January 12, 1984) is a convicted drug trafficker from Sydney, Australia. Chan is the "godfather" of the Bali Nine, found guilty of attempted drug trafficking of heroin into Australia from Indonesia. Prosecutors recommended Chan be given the death penalty and on 2006-02-14 Chan was sentenced to death by the Denpasar District Court.
Prior to his arrest, Chan worked for the Eurest Catering Company in New South Wales with fellow convictees Renae Lawrence and Martin Stephens, however upon his arrest told police he had met the 8 other defendants at Bali's Embargo nightclub.[citation needed]
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[edit] Arrest in Indonesia
Chan was arrested whilst seated on an Australian Airlines flight waiting to depart Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Indonesia on 2005-04-17 for Sydney. He was arrested carrying three mobile phones and a boarding pass, however no drugs were found in his possession. Renae Lawrence later admitted to two prior visits to Bali on 2004-10-16 and 2004-11-05, where she and Chan made an earlier successful run with heroin from Bali to Australia during their October visit. The second delivery, scheduled for December 2004 was aborted when heroin suppliers failed to deliver [1].
After receiving a tipoff from the Australian Federal Police about the group's travel to Indonesia and their possible links to illegal drug trade, Indonesian police placed the group under surveillance for a week before their arrests. Four of the final nine arrested, Michael Czugaj and Scott Rush of Brisbane, and Martin Stephens and Renae Lawrence, aquaintainces of Chan from their work at the Eurest Catering Company in Australia, were arrested as they prepared to board an Australia-bound flight. All arrested at the airport were carrying quantities of heroin concealed in plastic bags and strapped to their bodies. Between them they were carrying more than 8.3 kilograms of heroin. Another four Australians were later arrested at Kuta Beach.
Indonesian police testified Chan recruited the other eight to act as drug mules and offered them between AUD$10,000 to A$15,000 each to carry out this task. The various members of the nine variously denied they were intending to smuggle drugs, or - in the case of the four arrested at the airport shown in police videos having the packets of heroin removed from their bodies - claimed they had been forced into it through threats against themselves or their families.[citation needed]
[edit] Criminal trial
Chan was tried separately from the other eight defendants in the Denpasar District Court with his trial beginning in October, 2005. Throughout his trial, Chan would at times smile and would read books during proceedings:
| “ | The reason why I always smile is because I feel the Lord's presence anywhere I go and he gives me the courage. I feel it in this very courtroom today. I'm 22-years-old and I'm a young man, all I ask your honor is that you will give me an opportunity to restart my new fulfilled life. | ” |
Australian Prime Minister, John Howard said the Australian government would oppose any death sentences imposed, saying:
| “ | We have a long-standing opposition to the death penalty and it's well known that if a death penalty is imposed on an Australian we ask that that death penalty not be imposed. [3] | ” |
[edit] Orders to smuggle
Fellow accused and the only female of the nine arrested, Renae Lawrence claims she had received threats of harm against herself and her family if she did not proceed with the plan to import heroin into Australia. Lawrence gave evidence in the Denpasar District Court she was ordered to book a flight to Bali. She claimed she did not know why she was ordered to travel [4]. Lawrence was sentenced to life imprisonment for her role in the heroin importation plan on 2006-02-13.
Scott Rush, also sentenced to life imprisonment on 2006-02-13 (later upgraded to death), accused Chan of strapping the heroin to his body whilst wearing rubber gloves. [5]
Chan protested his innocence and defending his silence during his final plea, reading from a two page statement,
| “ | I didn't say anything in court because if I did, I'd be lying. The truth is, I know nothing. A lot of lies have been said against me, but the true reality is I'm not what people put me out to be. I've never threatened anybody in my life. The outcome I wish, of course, and my family is that you find that you would release me, for I had nothing to participate in this. [6] | ” |
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