Frenchman faces 17-years in Indonesian jail on meth charges

A Frenchman faces a17-year jail sentence for smuggling a huge stash of crystal methamphetamine into the resort island of Bali, if the judge abides by the Indonesian prosecutor’s recommendation. Drug smuggling can carry the death sentence in Indonesia.

Pure shards of methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as crystal meth Opan access/Radspunk

Francois Giuily, 49, was arrested in January at Bali airport with more than three kilos of the drug, worth an estimated 370,000 euros, hidden in two plastic bags in his suitcase lining, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutor Gusti Putu Gede Atmaja told a court in the Balinese capital Denpasar that he was recommending a 17-year jail sentence and a fine of 10 billion rupiah (625,000 euros) or a further three months in jail if it is not paid.

"The defendant's action is against the government's programme to eradicate drug use and his action could tarnish the image of Bali as a place for tourists," he said.

Smuggling such a large quantity of drugs into Indonesia can be punishable by death under the country's anti-drugs laws but Atmaja said prosecutors were taking Giuily's clean record into account.

Judges do not always stick by prosecutors' recommendations.

Giuily was arrested the day before another Frenchman, Michael Blanc, was freed on parole from after serving 14 years in an Indonesian jail for drug smuggling.

French national Serge Atlaoui is on death row in Indonesia, convicted in 2007 after he was caught working in a drugs factory outside the capital Jakarta.