DENPASAR, Indonesia: An Indonesian court jailed two Australians for life yesterday in a high-profile heroin trial, ignoring a request for leniency from prosecutors for one of the defendants because of her co-operation in the case.

Prosecutors had sought 20 years' jail for Renae Lawrence, the only woman among nine young Australians caught last April trying to smuggle more than 8.2 kilograms of heroin from the resort island of Bali to Australia.

After her verdict was handed down, another member of the group, Scott Rush, was also given a life sentence, in line with prosecution demands.

The rest of the verdicts are expected this week, including those for two men whom prosecutors want executed over accusations they helped mastermind the operation.

In its ruling, the Denpasar District Court said Lawrence's good behaviour and co-operation was no different to several other defendants.

"Their roles in this case are almost the same," Judge I Gusti Ngurah Astawa told the court.

Lawrence, 28, from the city of Newcastle, stared at the courtroom floor and shook her head after the verdict was translated for her. One of her lawyers said she was "shocked" by the decision. It was unclear if she would appeal.

Rush, 20, is from Brisbane. His lawyer said he would appeal.

Lawrence and Rush were caught at Bali's international airport with packages of heroin taped to their bodies as they prepared to board a flight to Sydney.

All members of the group, dubbed the "Bali Nine" by Australian media, have faced charges that carry the maximum penalty of death by firing squad.

Rush's parents were in court when the verdict was handed down. They appeared shocked by the ruling.

"We are victims of a drug syndicate. This is such a waste of a young life," said the father, Lee Rush.

Separate trial opens in Australia

In Brisbane yesterday, a South Korean man, Do Hyung-lee, appeared in court charged with organizing the Bali heroin syndicate.

"He recruited people to join the importation scheme as mules out of Indonesia into Australia," prosecutor Clive Porritt told the Brisbane Magistrates Courts.

Lee, 25, who lives in Australia, was arrested on his return from South Korea on Sunday.

The South Korean, who was granted bail by the court, faces charges of conspiracy to import prohibited narcotics into Australia. He faces a maximum jail term of 25 years.

Lawrence was the only member of nine caught in Bali for whom the demand from Indonesian prosecutors was less than life.

Prosecutors said they sought a more lenient term because she was helpful in giving statements during the investigation that helped authorities uncover evidence about the operation.

Under Indonesian law, a prosecution demand is non-binding for judges but is seen as a strong recommendation.

Any death penalties handed down could affect Indonesia's ties with Australia, which has abolished the death penalty.

Indonesian courts have delivered a string of tough sentences against foreigners over drugs charges. They include Australian woman Schapelle Corby, who was jailed for 20 years last May after being found guilty of smuggling marijuana.

Source: China Daily