Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pregnant Briton held in Laos 'was not raped'

Reuters
Wednesday 20 May 2009 11:26 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The mother of a British woman who became pregnant while being held on drug charges in Laos has said her daughter was not raped or sexually assaulted in prison.

Jane Orobator said her 20-year-old daughter, Samantha, looked well after their second meeting in Laos on Monday.

Samantha, who became pregnant in December, has been in prison in the communist Southeast Asian country since her arrest in August 2008 on charges of smuggling heroin.

"She told me that she was not raped or sexually assaulted in prison and that the father of her unborn child is not a Lao prison official," Jane Orobator said in statement.

Her remarks were released through Britain's Foreign Office in response to speculation about some aspects of the case.

"I hope that Samantha can now quickly have a fair trial and that she will be able to come home before too long," the elder Orobator said.

A trial date has not been set, but Britain and Laos signed a prisoner transfer agreement this month which could allow Samantha Orobator to serve any sentence at home.

Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, in London for talks on May 7, told British ministers Orobator would not receive a death sentence if convicted.

Reprieve, a prison rights charity that campaigns against capital punishment, has said it is concerned about Orobator's health and that of her unborn child.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in