Pregnant woman accused of drug trafficking escapes death penalty

Per CNN, Samantha Orobator, a pregnant British woman, who was arrested for allegedly trafficking half a kilogram of heroin through Laos in August will not be sentenced to death by firing squad because she is pregnant according to a Laotian Foreign Ministry spokesman. "The country's criminal law prohibits courts from sentencing pregnant women to death," said spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing.

Orobator was also allegedly denied access to a British lawyer who was to meet with her Sunday but has since been refused permission to speak with Orobator, according to a human rights group.

Twitterers reacted to the news:

1. 
   DivadNhoj1981 (Galveston, Texas) RT @CynthiaY29: Update: Pregnant Brit Won't Face Laos Death Penalty http://bit.ly/wMA8L II *Heaves sigh of relief* #p2 06 May 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   ericarachelle (Columbus, Ohio) So, the Pregnant British woman accused of trafficking drugs won't face firing squad, but is being denied a lawyer. Geez: http://bit.ly/xxao4 05 May 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   magicmoz (London, U.K.) Laos says pregnant women can't be sentenced to death but what happens if trial put off until after she gives birth? 06 May 2009 from web
4. 
   jtyost2 (Lubbock, Texas) Liked "Pregnant Briton denied lawyer visit in Laos, rights group says: A pregnant British woman jailed in Laos was..." http://ff.im/-2CQKT 06 May 2009 from FriendFeed
5. 
   Timdadams (Seattle, Wash.) Man! They go hard in Laos! - http://bit.ly/xxao4 06 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Pregnant woman accused of drug trafficking escapes death penalty