Kiwi faces 18 yrs in Bali jail over drugs

The prosecution in the case of New Zealander Antony de Malmanche argues he should spend 18 years in jail for bringing drugs into Bali.

New Zealander Antony de Malmanche should spend 18 years in jail for bringing drugs into Bali and much of the evidence given in his defence thrown out, the prosecution argues.

The 53-year-old faces a maximum penalty of death after his arrest in December, when 1.7kg of crystal methamphetamine was found in his backpack at the airport.

His defence argues de Malmanche had been effectively brainwashed by hours of online chat with someone identifying as "Jessy Smith", whom he had fallen in love with.

They say the disability pensioner - who suffers mental illness and low IQ - was tricked into the Bali journey on the pretence of meeting Jessy.

Prosecutor Siti Sawiyah on Thursday submitted de Malmanche deserves 18 years jail.

The drugs had the potential to harm 1700 users as well as Bali's reputation, she said.

Ms Siti also argued much of last week's defence testimony, from two psychiatrists and a New Zealand pastor, should be considered irrelevant.

"They didn't explain the incident where the defendant was caught," she said.

"With that, such testimony should be ignored."

She also wanted the court to disregard evidence from New Zealand barrister Craig Tuck, who told the court de Malmanche was not a trafficker, but a victim of trafficking.

"The defendant should not escape his responsibility for this crime ... He must be punished," she said.

The trial continues later this month.


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Source: AAP


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