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Pregnant prisoner heading to UK Pregnant prisoner returns to UK
(19 minutes later)
A pregnant Briton jailed for life in Laos for heroin smuggling is due to arrive back in the UK later. A pregnant Briton jailed for life in Laos for heroin smuggling has arrived back in the UK.
Samantha Orobator, 20, from Peckham, south London, was caught with 1.5lb (680g) of the drug at Wattay airport in the capital, Vientiane, last August.Samantha Orobator, 20, from Peckham, south London, was caught with 1.5lb (680g) of the drug at Wattay airport in the capital, Vientiane, last August.
She escaped the death penalty because she became pregnant in jail and will now complete her sentence in the UK.She escaped the death penalty because she became pregnant in jail and will now complete her sentence in the UK.
Orobator was handed to UK officials by the Lao authorities on Thursday in what they said was a "humanitarian gesture".Orobator was handed to UK officials by the Lao authorities on Thursday in what they said was a "humanitarian gesture".
Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant said: "We do not condone any crimes involving illegal drugs. We work around the world to combat the use of illegal drugs."Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant said: "We do not condone any crimes involving illegal drugs. We work around the world to combat the use of illegal drugs."
However he added the transfer was "excellent news", saying: "[It] means that Samantha will give birth in the UK, close to her relatives and under UK medical care.However he added the transfer was "excellent news", saying: "[It] 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.""This is clearly the best outcome for all - not least her unborn child."
'Artificial insemination''Artificial insemination'
He also said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was continuing to work for the early transfer of John Watson, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, who is also imprisoned in Laos for drug smuggling.He also said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was continuing to work for the early transfer of John Watson, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, who is also imprisoned in Laos for drug smuggling.
Watson, 47, was identified as the father of Orobator's baby in a statement read out on her behalf by the local prosecutor.Watson, 47, was identified as the father of Orobator's baby in a statement read out on her behalf by the local prosecutor.
Her statement said she had artificially inseminated herself while in prison using Watson's semen. Her baby is due next month.Her statement said she had artificially inseminated herself while in prison using Watson's semen. Her baby is due next month.
Orobator's mother, Jane, said on Thursday: "I just want her to come back to the UK, that is my first desire. One step at a time, I just want her to have her baby here."Orobator's mother, Jane, said on Thursday: "I just want her to come back to the UK, that is my first desire. One step at a time, I just want her to have her baby here."
Orobator admitted trying to smuggle the heroin through Wattay airport in an effort to take it to Australia.Orobator admitted trying to smuggle the heroin through Wattay airport in an effort to take it to Australia.
A Laos Foreign Ministry spokesman said Orobator's return to the UK was a humanitarian gesture that took into account her pregnancy.A Laos Foreign Ministry spokesman said Orobator's return to the UK was a humanitarian gesture that took into account her pregnancy.
Caroline Morten of the human rights charity Reprieve, which worked on the case, said she was "very relieved" that Orobator was returning to the UK. Caroline Morten of the human rights charity Reprieve, which worked on the case, said she was "very relieved" that Orobator had returned to the UK.
Ms Morten added: "She's been through an horrific ordeal and her human rights have been violated at every level from the right to an independent investigation to having a lawyer and having a fair trial."Ms Morten added: "She's been through an horrific ordeal and her human rights have been violated at every level from the right to an independent investigation to having a lawyer and having a fair trial."