Keelty to testify for Rush

Adam Gartrell, Indonesia Correspondent
September 15, 2010 - 12:39PM

AAP

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty will testify at the final appeal of Bali Nine drug mule Scott Rush on Thursday as part of a last-ditch effort to save him from the firing squad.

The AFP's current deputy commissioner Michael Phelan, who led the AFP unit that tipped off Indonesian authorities about the Bali Nine, is also expected to testify in the Denpasar District Court.

Both men are expected to tell the court that Rush was only a minor player in the 2005 plot to smuggle smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin out of Bali, not an organiser.

Their evidence is expected to be pivotal to Rush's appeal, which pushes for his death sentence to be reduced to 15 years in prison.

The appeal argues that other Bali Nine members who played similar roles were given lighter sentences, ranging from 20 years to life.

The AFP faced heavy criticism for informing Indonesian police about the Bali Nine's plans, thereby subjecting them to possible death sentences, instead of arresting them in Australia.

Three other witnesses are also expected to be called to testify.

Rush himself testified before the court last month, pleading with Indonesian authorities to spare him from the firing squad.

"I wish to say to you, my parents, my family and the community how sorry I am for the crime I have committed and the pain that I have caused," he told the court.

"I have brought much shame upon myself and my family."

If the appeal fails, Rush's last chance at survival will be to seek clemency from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is not known for showing mercy to drug smugglers.

Rush was just 19 when he was arrested at Denpasar airport with more than a kilo of heroin strapped to his body.

He was originally sentenced to life in prison before Indonesia's Supreme Court increased it on appeal to death.

Of the six Bali Nine couriers Rush, now 24, is the only one facing death.

So-called ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are also on death row and have final appeals in train.

Five others - Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Michael Czugaj, Si Yi Chen and Tan Duc Than Nguyen - are serving life sentences.

Courier Renae Lawrence is serving 20 years.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/keelty-to-testify-for-rush-20100915-15bwj.html