NT: Juvenile held in NT adult prison for eight months

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2001
NT: Juvenile held in NT adult prison for eight months

A judge has said the x-rays Australian authorities rely on to gauge age do not prove
an Indonesian people smuggler is an adult.

Northern Territory Supreme Court Justice STEVEN BAILEY has found that a smuggler from
Sulawesi who has been in Darwin's adult prison for the past eight months is a juvenile.

He made the finding despite wrist x-ray evidence to the contrary.

The challenge to the standard age test for Indonesians facing people-smuggling charges
comes amid a warning by Immigration Minister PHILIP RUDDOCK that younger crews are being
recruited to avoid tough sentences for adults.

RISAL KASMAN has told authorities he is 15 years old.

He has received a six-month suspended sentence for his part in bringing 82 asylum seekers
to Ashmore Reef.

Justice BAILEY told a tearful KASMAN he is free to return to Indonesia as soon as immigration
authorities can arrange a flight.

Federal Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, PETER WALSH, says the ramifications
of the ruling on future prosecutions have yet to be examined and the government may appeal.

AAP RTV rmg/wz/jh

KEYWORD: BOAT KASMAN (DARWIN)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.