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| Pregnant prisoner in UK custody | Pregnant prisoner in UK custody |
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| A pregnant Briton jailed for smuggling heroin in Laos has been handed to UK Ministry of Justice officials, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said. | A pregnant Briton jailed for smuggling heroin in Laos has been handed to UK Ministry of Justice officials, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said. |
| The transfer took place in Vientiane, capital of Laos. Samantha Orobator will now return to the UK to give birth and serve out her sentence in Britain. | The transfer took place in Vientiane, capital of Laos. Samantha Orobator will now return to the UK to give birth and serve out her sentence in Britain. |
| Orobator, 20, from Peckham, south London, was caught with 1.5lb (680g) of heroin in August last year. | |
| She avoided Laos's mandatory death penalty because of her pregnancy. | She avoided Laos's mandatory death penalty because of her pregnancy. |
| Foreign Office Minister, Chris Bryant, said it was "excellent news" but also emphasised the FCO did not condone crimes involving illegal drugs. | Foreign Office Minister, Chris Bryant, said it was "excellent news" but also emphasised the FCO did not condone crimes involving illegal drugs. |
| 'Best possible outcome' | 'Best possible outcome' |
| He said: "I spend much of my time warning British tourists of the dangers of using drugs in countries such as Laos, which have heavy penalties for these crimes. | He said: "I spend much of my time warning British tourists of the dangers of using drugs in countries such as Laos, which have heavy penalties for these crimes. |
| "But I saw for myself Samantha's advanced state of pregnancy when I visited her in prison last week. | "But I saw for myself Samantha's advanced state of pregnancy when I visited her in prison last week. |
| "The transfer means that Samantha will give birth in the UK, close to her relatives and under UK medical care. This is clearly the best outcome for all - not least her unborn child." | "The transfer means that Samantha will give birth in the UK, close to her relatives and under UK medical care. This is clearly the best outcome for all - not least her unborn child." |
| I remain extremely concerned for the health of John Watson, the other British prisoner held in a Laos jail Foreign Office Minister, Chris Bryant | I remain extremely concerned for the health of John Watson, the other British prisoner held in a Laos jail Foreign Office Minister, Chris Bryant |
| Mr Bryant also said the FCO was continuing to work for the early transfer of John Watson, another Briton imprisoned in Laos. | Mr Bryant also said the FCO was continuing to work for the early transfer of John Watson, another Briton imprisoned in Laos. |
| The 47-year-old is also serving a life sentence for drug smuggling after being detained in December 2003. | The 47-year-old is also serving a life sentence for drug smuggling after being detained in December 2003. |
| Mr Bryant said: "I remain extremely concerned for the health of John Watson, the other British prisoner held in a Laos jail. | Mr Bryant said: "I remain extremely concerned for the health of John Watson, the other British prisoner held in a Laos jail. |
| 'Tireless work' | |
| "When I spoke to Deputy Foreign Minister Boupha earlier this week, I was assured that John will also be transferred, in his words, 'in the very near future'. I look to the Laos authorities to ensure that this happens". | "When I spoke to Deputy Foreign Minister Boupha earlier this week, I was assured that John will also be transferred, in his words, 'in the very near future'. I look to the Laos authorities to ensure that this happens". |
| Mr Bryant added that he was "deeply grateful" to the Laos authorities and thanked the team in the British Embassy in neighbouring Thailand, "who worked tirelessly to secure this result". | Mr Bryant added that he was "deeply grateful" to the Laos authorities and thanked the team in the British Embassy in neighbouring Thailand, "who worked tirelessly to secure this result". |
| Orobator admitted trying to smuggle the heroin through Wattay airport in an effort to take it to Australia. | |
| Before her trial in June she was held for nine months in Phongthong women's prison, where she became pregnant in December. | |
| A Lao Foreign Ministry spokesman said Orobator's return to the UK was a humanitarian gesture that takes into account her pregnancy. Her baby is due next month. |