Laos May Send Pregnant Brit to UK Prison

20-year-old accused of drug smuggling denies she was raped in prison
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 8, 2009 2:40 AM CDT
Laos May Send Pregnant Brit to UK Prison
Samantha Orobator in an undated image released by a British legal action charity.    (AP Photo/Reprieve, Ho)

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.

"At a minimum, she would be in better conditions, and it would be better for her baby if she were here," said a spokeswoman for a British human rights group. Orabator—who told the BBC her pregnancy is not the result of rape—has been detained for 10 months. Observers believe Laotian authorities are becoming increasingly concerned about the effect the publicized case may have on their tourist trade.
(More Samantha Orobator stories.)

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