12 Nov 2011

Prison term sought for boy on drug charges

10:01 am on 12 November 2011

Prosecutors in Bali have requested a three-month prison term for an Australian boy on drug charges.

The boy, aged 14, from New South Wales, has been in detention since his arrest outside a supermarket near Kuta Beach on 4 October.

A closed session was held at Denpasar District Court on Friday when the boy's lawyers argued for his release under a section of Indonesian law that would see him recognised as an addict and sent to rehabilitation.

However, the ABC reports the prosecution told the judge he should be charged under a section of Indonesia's narcotics law that carries a maximum of two years in prison for a child.

But instead of the maximum sentence, prosecutors have recommended a three-month sentence.

Judge Amser Simanjuntak is expected to announce his verdict on 25 November.