Bali Nine’s youngest drug mule launches final appeal

Convicted Australian drug mule Scott Anthony Rush, appealing for his death sentence to be reduced to 15 years, has expressed his remorse and begged the court to rule in his favor.

Rush, a member of the Bali Nine drug ring, read his hand-written statement in front of the panel of judges during the first session of his appeal trial at the Denpasar District Court on Thursday.

Standing before the judges, the 24-year-old convict begged to be given a second chance to rehabilitate himself, saying he had learned a lot in prison and wished to be an ambassador against drugs.

He said that during the last five-and-a-half years he had been in Kerobokan prison, two of which had been spent “in the ‘death tower’ as a prisoner sentenced to death, where he had a long time to think about his life and where he went wrong.

“I wish to say to you, my family, and the community how sorry I am for the crime that I have committed and the pain that I have caused. I have brought shame upon myself and my family,” he told the judges.

“I ask for their forgiveness. I have a deep sense of guilt for what I’ve done.

“I pray that I may be given a chance to show my remorse and give back to the community in a practical way. I would like to be an ambassador against drugs. I would like to say to all young persons: ‘say no to drugs’.”

“I’m a living example of how drugs can destroy lives and cause family and friends so much unnecessary pain and distress.”

Rush, one of nine Australians convicted over an attempt to smuggle 8.2 kilograms of heroin from Bali to Australia in 2005, said he respected Indonesian law and hoped one or more of the arguments his lawyers had prepared found favor with the court.

Fighting back tears, he also expressed his fear waiting to be executed.

“I often wake up having nightmares. I often think about the firing squad and how long will it take me to die.”

The judges adjourned the case to Sept. 16, when Rush’s lawyers will present five witnesses, in addition to new written evidence in the form of a letter from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) detailing Rush’s minor role in the case.

Rush’s lawyers indicated they wanted one of the witnesses to be former AFP commissioner Mick Keelty.

“We will present five witnesses: three criminal law experts and two witnesses informed on the case and the incidents surrounding it,” lawyer Robert Khuana said.

The judges set aside one session to hear the testimonies of all five witnesses.

Once the district court judges hear the witness testimonies and consider the submissions of the defense and the prosecution, they will send the case to the Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide whether Rush will be executed.

Reading the appeal document, lawyer Frans Winarta said his client was only a minor player in the plot and did not deserve the same punishment as ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, also on death row.

Australian media have reported that the outcome of Rush’s appeal could have significant bearing on similar appeals lodged by Chan and Sukumaran.

If the appeals fail, the three will have to appeal for clemency from President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono to avoid death by firing squad.

Five other members of the group are planning fresh appeals against life sentences.

Originally posted on The Jakarta Post