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Pregnant prisoner returns to UK Pregnant prisoner returns to UK
(10 minutes later)
A pregnant Briton jailed for life in Laos for heroin smuggling has arrived back in the UK.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".
She arrived at Heathrow Airport at around 0630 BST, having flown from Laos's capital, Vientiane.She arrived at Heathrow Airport at around 0630 BST, having flown from Laos's capital, Vientiane.
The BBC's Asha Tanna at Heathrow said all other passengers on the flight were asked to get off the plane before Orobator was escorted from it.The BBC's Asha Tanna at Heathrow said all other passengers on the flight were asked to get off the plane before Orobator was escorted from it.
Samantha Orobator arrives back in the UK
With uniformed police standing by, Orobator stepped off the aircraft to be met by a prison van due to take her to Holloway prison, north London.With uniformed police standing by, Orobator stepped off the aircraft to be met by a prison van due to take her to Holloway prison, north London.
Correspondents said Orobator, who was not handcuffed, laughed as she arrived on the tarmac.Correspondents said Orobator, who was not handcuffed, laughed as she arrived on the tarmac.
She was expected to meet her lawyers at 0800 BST to discuss her case.She was expected to meet her lawyers at 0800 BST to discuss her case.
'Artificial insemination''Artificial insemination'
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."
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."
Jane was flying from Dublin to London to see her daughter.Jane was flying from Dublin to London to see her daughter.
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.
Katherine O'Shea of the human rights charity Reprieve, which has worked on the case, said Orobator would undergo health checks when she arrived at Holloway.Katherine O'Shea of the human rights charity Reprieve, which has worked on the case, said Orobator would undergo health checks when she arrived at Holloway.
Ms O'Shea added: "Her mother really hopes she will be able to see her but at the moment she does not know if that's going to be possible - we will have to wait and see."Ms O'Shea added: "Her mother really hopes she will be able to see her but at the moment she does not know if that's going to be possible - we will have to wait and see."