This list of Australians imprisoned or executed abroad includes those cases where:
- the person was arrested and charged with or convicted of notable crimes whilst abroad.
- the person is an otherwise notable person in Australia.
Argentina
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stephen John Sutton | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking | 4 February 2003 | November 2008 | Sentenced to 11 years. Released from prison in November 2008.[1] |
Bulgaria
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jock Palfreeman | Sydney, New South Wales | Murder and wounding | December 2007 | Paroled in September 2019 | Sentenced to 20 years' jail.[2] |
Cambodia
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gordon Vuong | Campsie, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | January 2005 | 2018 | Sentenced to 13 years in May 2005.[3] |
China
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stern Hu | Melbourne, Victoria | Stealing commercial secrets and receiving bribes | 5 July 2009 | July 2018 | Australian iron ore enterprise businessman. Sentenced to 10 years' jail.[4] |
Kalynda Davis | Sydney, New South Wales | No conviction | 8 November 2014[5] | 9 December 2014 | |
Henry Chin | Sydney, New South Wales | Convicted of trying to send 270 grams of methamphetamine to Australia | May 2004 | Sentenced to death in 2005. The sentence was suspended for two years. Current fate is unknown.[8] | |
Karm Gilespie | Ballarat, Victoria | Smuggling 7.5 kg of methamphetamine out of China | 2013 | Death sentence announced on 10 June by Guangzhou District Court after having been missing for 7 years[9] |
Colombia
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cassandra Sainsbury | Adelaide, South Australia | Drug trafficking (cocaine) | 11 April 2017 | 16 April 2020 | Sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment.[10] Paroled after 3 years; remained in Colombia for 23 months and deported. |
Egypt
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter Greste | Brisbane, Queensland | Using unlicensed equipment to broadcast false information to defame and destabilise Egypt | 29 December 2013 | 1 February 2015 (deported) |
|
Fiji
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas McCosker | Warrnambool, Victoria | Sodomy | 3 April 2005 | 28 August 2005 |
Indonesia
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schapelle Corby | Gold Coast, Queensland | Drug trafficking (cannabis) | 8 October 2004 | 10 February 2014 |
|
Andrew Chan | Enfield, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | Executed | |
Si Yi Chen | Doonside, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | ||
Michael Czugaj | Oxley, Queensland | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | ||
Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen | Wellington Point, Queensland | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | Died 9 May 2018 | |
Matthew Norman | Quakers Hill, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | ||
Scott Rush | Chelmer, Queensland | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 |
| |
Martin Stephens | Towradgi, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 |
| |
Myuran Sukumaran | Auburn, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | Executed |
|
Renae Lawrence | Newcastle, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | 21 November 2018 | |
Michelle Leslie | Adelaide, South Australia | Possession of ecstasy tablets | 21 August 2005 | 19 November 2005 | |
Michael Sacatides | Wentworthville, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (methamphetamine) | 1 October 2010 |
|
A prisoner exchange agreement is currently being negotiated between Australia and Indonesia.[22]
Israel
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Denis Michael Rohan | Sydney | Arson attack | 23 August 1969 | 14 May 1974 | Found to be insane, and hospitalised in a mental institution. Deported from Israel 14 May 1974, and reportedly died in 1995 under psychiatric care. |
Kuwait
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tallaal Adrey | Auburn, New South Wales | Weapons possession Weapons trading Ammunition possession Ammunition trading |
14 February 2005 | 2009 | Sentenced to 4 years.[23][24] |
Laos
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kerry and Kay Danes | Brisbane, Queensland | Tax evasion Embezzlement Destruction of evidence (pardoned and absolved) |
23 December 2000 | 6 October 2001 |
|
Marshall Islands
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carl Heine | Singleton, New South Wales | No trial | 1942 | Executed | Executed by beheading in April 1944.[26] |
Malaysia
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kevin Barlow (a dual British citizen)[27] |
Perth, Western Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 9 November 1983 | Executed | Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986.[28][29] |
Brian Chambers | Perth, Western Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 9 November 1983 | Executed | Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986.[28][29] |
Michael McAuliffe | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 29 June 1985 | Executed | Executed by hanging in June 1993.[30] |
Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (methamphetamine) | December 2014 | 26 November 2019[31] | Acquitted by the Malaysian High Court and ordered immediate release. |
New Zealand
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brenton Tarrant | Grafton, New South Wales | Murder Attempted murder Terrorism |
15 March 2019 | Trial date listed for 2 June 2020. Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on 27 August 2020[32] |
North Korea
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Short | Barmera, South Australia | Circulation of Christian literature at a Buddhist temple | 16 February 2014 | 3 March 2014 |
|
Philippines
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter Scully | Melbourne, Victoria | Human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and torture of children | 20 February 2015 | Sentenced to life in prison in 2018, and received an additional 129 years for a second conviction in 2022. |
Singapore
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robert Page and nine others | Various – members of Z Special Unit | Perfidy and espionage (Operation Rimau) | December 1944 – January 1945 | Executed | Executed by beheading on 7 July 1945.[33] |
Van Tuong Nguyen | Melbourne, Victoria | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 12 December 2002 | Executed | Executed by hanging on 2 December 2005. |
South African Republic (Transvaal)
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harry Harbord 'Breaker' Morant | Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia | War crimes | 23 October 1901 | Executed | Executed by firing squad on 27 February 1902. |
Peter Handcock | New South Wales | War crimes | 23 October 1901 | Executed | Executed by firing squad on 27 February 1902. |
George Witton | Victoria, Australia | War crimes | 23 October 1901 | 11 August 1904 | Sentenced to death by firing squad, which was commuted to life in prison. Released early due to public and political pressure in England and Australia. |
Sri Lanka
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reg Spiers | Adelaide, South Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 1 December 1984 | 1987 | Sentenced to death, acquitted on appeal.[34] |
Thailand
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Warren Fellows | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 11 October 1978 | 11 January 1990 | Sentenced to life, received a pardon.[35] |
Paul Hayward | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 11 October 1978 | 7 April 1989 | Sentenced to 30 years, received a pardon.[35] |
Nola Blake | Botany, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | January 1987 | March 1998 | Originally sentenced to death, later commuted to life in prison. Received a Royal Pardon. |
Holly Deane-Johns | Western Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | August 2000 | December 2012 | Sentenced to 31 years. Transferred to Bandyup Women's Prison in Australia in late 2007.[36] |
Robert Halliwell | Sydney | Drug trafficking (heroin) | August 2000 | Arrested with Deane-Johns whilst attempting to post heroin to Australia. Police later found another 110 grams of heroin in Halliwell's apartment. Sentenced to life imprisonment.[36] |
A prisoner exchange agreement exists between Australia and Thailand allowing prisoner transfers.[37]
United Arab Emirates
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Samandar Hout Kilani | Afghanistan / Australia | Robbery | July 2011 | September 2013 | 3 year prison sentence in Dubai's Central Jail.[38] |
United Kingdom
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rolf Harris | Bassendean, Western Australia | Indecent assault | August 2013 | 19 May 2017 | Sentenced to 5 years and 9 months' imprisonment on 4 July 2014. |
Julian Assange | Townsville, Queensland | Skipping bail | 11 April 2019 | 26 June 2024 | Sentenced to 50 weeks' imprisonment on 1 May 2019 |
United States
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jean-Philippe Wispelaere | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Espionage | 15 May 1999 | 2012 | Former Defence Intelligence Organisation officer who sought to sell secrets to a foreign power.[39][40] |
Mamdouh Habib | Sydney, New South Wales | none | 5 October 2001 | 28 January 2005 | Arrested in 2001, Habib was interrogated by Pakistani and US CIA agents before being transferred to Egypt, then to a black site in Afghanistan, where he was further interrogated under torture. Transferred to Guantanamo Bay detention camp in 2002. Released without charge in 2005.[41] |
David Hicks | Adelaide, South Australia | Unlawful combatant | November 2001 | 1 January 2008 | Prisoner of the US Government held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on unlawful combatant charges.[42] Returned to Australia on 20 May 2007 to serve the remaining nine months of his sentence in Yatala Labour Prison, Adelaide.[43] |
Russell Moore[a] | Melbourne, Victoria | Murder Robbery Sexual assault |
1988 | Deceased | Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 1991 for the murder, robbery and sexual assault of Barbara Barber in Melbourne, Florida.
Died in custody at the Apalachee Correctional Institution on 2 June 2021.[44] |
Vietnam
editPrisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phạm Trung Dũng | Vietnam / Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | May 2013 | Sentenced to death on 27 June 2014.[45] |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Also known by adoptive name, James Hudson Savage.
References
edit- ^ Stephen Sutton website. Retrieved 22 February 2006
- ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/jock-palfreeman-and-michelle-leslie-are-just-two-of-many-aussie-tourists-jailed-overseas-for-crimes-they-say-they-did-not-commit/story-fni0ffnk-1226843547601 , 4 March 2014
- ^ Australian teen jailed for 13 years over heroin Archived 12 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 May 2005
- ^ "Foreign Minister slams Chinese as Stern Hu gets 10-year jail sentence". Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- ^ a b https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/kalynda-daviss-new-life-after-china-drug-arrest/news-story/8a2eff34e75363eadf5b0aa26dd0e750 [bare URL]
- ^ "Kalynda Davis home after being released by China without charge". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2014.[title missing]
- ^ "ice smuggling allegations, allowed to return home without charge". ABC News. Australia. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ "Four Australians have been put to death for drug offences overseas in recent times". SBS News article. Australia. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
- ^ Singhal, Eryk Bagshaw, Rachael Dexter, Pallavi (14 June 2020). "Australian actor's journey to a Chinese death sentence". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Cassie Sainsbury sentenced to six years in Colombian jail for trafficking cocaine". ABC News. November 2017.
- ^ "Greste another victim of bloody-minded regime". ABC News. 23 June 2014.
- ^ Australian home after Fiji gay sex conviction overturned, The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 August 2005
- ^ Little help, no protest for Victorian jailed in Fiji, The Age, 20 August 2005
- ^ 'I ask for you... to find me innocent', The Age, 29 April 2005
- ^ "Freed Corby still to show her face".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Bali Nine all lodge appeals, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 20 February 2006.
- ^ a b c d e Some Bali nine jail terms cut ABC News Online, 27 April 2006
- ^ a b "Bali three have death sentences commuted - CNN.com". www.cnn.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "Drug-accused model says she's a Muslim". The Australian. 29 August 2005.
- ^ Forbes, Mark (27 November 2005). "Lost funds add to bribe speculation". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2007. and Forbes, Mark (17 June 2006). "Leslie's confidant lifts the veil". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
- ^ "Australian Man Michael Sacatides Gets 18 Years Jail In Bali For Importing 17kg Of Methamphetamine".
- ^ Govt to consult with Indonesia over death sentences, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 7.30 Report, 14 February 2006
- ^ Australian Man in Kuwaiti Jail Says Govt Has Failed Him Archived 4 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Caged Prisoners, 18 May 2005
- ^ Foreign Prisoner Support Service, Tallaal Adrey Campaign Archived 26 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kerry and Kay Danes pardoned in Laos Archived 17 July 2005 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 6 November 2001
- ^ Garrett, John (1994). "Unintentionally a Missionary: Carl Heine, an Australian in the Marshall Islands" (PDF). South Pacific Journal of Mission Studies (11). South Pacific Association for Mission Studies: 16–20.
- ^ "Brian Chambers and Kevin Barlow executed in Malaysia". TheGuardian.com. 7 July 1986.
- ^ a b Brian Chambers and Kevin Barlow executed in Malaysia, The Guardian, 7 July 1986.
- ^ a b They died at dawn Archived 27 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine, NineMSN, 30 November 2005
- ^ The toughest penalty, The Daily Telegraph, 15 February 2006
- ^ Doherty, Ben (26 November 2019). "Sydney woman Maria Exposto has drug conviction and death sentence overturned in Malaysia". The Guardian.
- ^ "Christchurch mosque shooting trial delayed for Ramadan". Stuff. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
- ^ Lithgow, Shirley (2000). "Robert Charles Page (1920–1945)". Australian Dictionary of Biography.
- ^ "Spiers has to wait for drug case sentencing". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 January 1988. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
- ^ a b The Damage Done, Pan Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 1-84018-275-X
- ^ a b Heroin addicts escape Thai death sentence, The Age, 5 July 2003
- ^ Asian jails not very good: Downer, The Age, 22 April 2005
- ^ Steve Pratt
- ^ Australian spy sentenced to jail in the U.S.
- ^ Bucci, Nino; Inman, Michael (29 October 2012). "Spy was identified through psychic, author says". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
The 41-year-old was released earlier this year
- ^ Australian official saw Habib tortured: report
- ^ Hicks' time in custody ignored by Pentagon
- ^ Celebrity Hicks back in lockup
- ^ Pearson, Erin (3 June 2021). "Indigenous man dies in US prison following 30-year fight to come home". smh.com.au. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Australian man Pham Trung Dung sentenced to death for heroin in Vietnam". Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2014.