Martin Stephens (drug smuggler)
Martin Stephens | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 |
| Other names | Bali Nine |
| Criminal status | Imprisoned (Indonesia) |
| Conviction(s) | Drug trafficking |
| Criminal charge | Drug trafficking |
| Penalty | Life in prison |
Martin Eric Stephens (born 1976[1]) is a former bartender from Towradgi, a suburb of Wollongong, New South Wales. He is known as a member of the Bali Nine, discovered with 3.3 kg of heroin concealed on his body at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar during his first trip to Bali. On 14 February 2006, Stephens was sentenced to life imprisonment.[2] Stephens appealed his sentence along with eight other members of the Bali Nine.[citation needed] On 26 April 2006, Bali Nine members Lawrence, Nguyen, Chen, Czugaj and Norman had their sentences reduced to 20 year sentences on appeal.[3] Stephens' appeal was heard by a different judge, who upheld his life sentence.
Biography
Early life
Stephens worked as a bartender with fellow defendants Renae Lawrence, Matthew Norman and Andrew Chan at the Eurest Catering Company in New South Wales. He claims he was forced to travel to Bali and proceed with the smuggling by Chan, who showed Stephens photographs of his family going about their daily lives, and saying they would be killed if he did not cooperate, saying
- "They threatened me. They threatened my family, my friends, my love - my girlfriend… They showed me pictures."[citation needed]
Criminal trial
Adnan Wirawan, the lawyer of Martin Stephens, says his client has been unfairly accused as the ring leader of the alleged conspiracy. "He's a human suitcase... he was being told what to do." Fellow accused Michael Czugaj and Scott Rush, school friends from Brisbane have testified that they had never met Stephens or Renae Lawrence until they were all arrested on 17 April 2005. On 6 September 2006 several members of the Bali nine who had had their sentences reduced to 20 years and had then launched further appeals, had their sentences upgraded to death.[4] The life sentences for Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj were upheld.[3]
On 20 December 2006, Stephens announced he planned to marry Christine Winarni Puspayanti, an Indonesian woman he met at Kerobokan Prison.[5] Stephens met Puspayanti months after his arrest while she was visiting the prison as a part of a church group. Stephens married Puspayanti in a traditional Indonesian-style wedding in April 2011.[6][7]
See also
Notes
- ^ Foreign Prisoners Support Service, Martin Stephens Campaign Information
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/world/bali-nine-drug-mules-sentence-upheld/story-e6frfkyi-1225987650737
- ^ a b Four of Bali Nine have sentences reduced, NineMSN, 27 April 2006
- ^ Execution shock for four of the Bali nine, The Age, 6 September 2006
- ^ Bali Nine's Stephens plans jail wedding The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 December 2006
- ^ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/prison-blues-forgotten-amid-martin-stephens-bali-nine-nuptials/story-e6frg6nf-1226037460481
- ^ http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-diary/big-day-for-a-prison-wedding-20110411-1db64.html
References
- Mule warned of appeal risk
- Bali Nine's Stephens gets life
- I had no choice: accused
- PM to oppose Bali death sentences, 13 February 2006
- Embassy team to monitor verdicts for Bali nine, The Age, 11 February 2006
- Bali nine 'organiser' arrested, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 February 2006
- D-Day for the Bali nine, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 February 2006
- Bali Nine cling to faith, Herald Sun, 13 February 2006
- Don't interfere: Bali 9 judges
- Bali Nine trial delayed by ceremony
- Lawrence terrified of 'godfather' Chan
- Lawyers seek charges to extradite Bali nine
- Bali Nine death warning
- Warning hits Bali trial hopes
- Pub talk sent mules on Bali 'holiday'
- Sick days slow down Bali Nine trials
- Fairness of Bali Nine trial in jeopardy, say lawyers