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Japanese Pro Surfer Jailed in Bali for Marijuana
Made Arya Kencana | October 14, 2011

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Denpasar. A Bali court sentenced a Japanese woman to six months in prison on Wednesday for possession of 25 grams of marijuana. The ruling against Tomoyo Sugiyama, 39, a professional surfer, by the Denpasar District Court was lighter than the nine months sought by prosecutors.

Reading out the verdict, Corry Sahusilawati, the presiding judge, said that Sugiyama’s actions had “damaged Bali’s image as a tourism destination.”

She added that as someone with a history of drug addiction, Sugiyama should have reported her condition to the local authorities upon arriving in Bali.

That, coupled with her stints in rehabilitation in Japan and Bali, could have exempted her from serving prison time in the event of an arrest for possession, Corry said. She could have faced a maximum of four years in prison.

Sugiyama was arrested at her home in North Kuta, Badung, on June 27. She was also ordered to undergo rehabilitation.

Sugiyama said she would not contest the ruling.

“The sentence is already three months lighter than what prosecutors wanted,” she said through her lawyer Suroso. Considering time already served, Sugiyama is expected to be released toward the end of December.

The case is one of several drugs cases this year. A 14-year-old Australian boy is the subject of a heated diplomatic spat after he was arrested for buying 6.9 grams of marijuana. His arrest has sparked calls by some in Australia for a boycott of the resort island.