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Indonesians forge fake documents to convict Australian tourist
A DOCUMENT in which Australian model Michelle Leslie admits to being an ecstasy addict is a fake, her Indonesian lawyer claimed today. "It is a fake document," Mohammad Rifan said of an alleged police record of interview with the Adelaide-born model, who is being held in Bali accused of possessing the party drug ecstasy.

Media reports cited what was purported to be a photocopy of a signed, four-and-a half-page transcript of a Bali police interview with Ms Leslie on Wednesday. According to the alleged transcript, Ms Leslie had told her interrogators that she feared she was hooked on the drug, and had sought treatment for the problem in Australia.

Mr Rifan did not say who might have forged such a document. But a transcript of interview was a confidential document and it "was not possible for Australian journalists to get that statement", he said. "So I am sure it is a fake."
"Lies! All lies!"
The alleged transcript appeared to carry signatures from Ms Leslie and Mr Rifan as well as the police officers who questioned her. Mr Rifan said he had signed many documents, but not that one.

He said anyone could make a forgery. "It is not difficult," he said.

Ms Leslie was detained during a routine drug sweep outside a Bali dance party on Saturday, when police found two ecstasy pills wrapped in tissue paper in her handbag. According to the alleged transcript, Ms Leslie said she could not enjoy parties without taking ecstasy. However, her parents said she did not take drugs, and urine tests after her arrest were negative.
And if you can't believe Mom, who can you believe?
Authorities were waiting today for the results of blood tests.

Mr Rifan also scoffed at separate claims by Bali drug squad chief Colonel Bambang Sugiarto that Ms Leslie had admitted to having an addiction. "Addicted? She's never talked about being addicted," he said.
She didn't have to.
A spokesman for the model's family and Australian lawyer, Ross Hill, also denied the claims of addiction. "Ms Leslie strenuously denies the allegations being made against her and shall vigorously defend any such claims," the spokesman said in a statement.
"Lies! All lies! And I'm paid to say that!"
Ms Leslie made no comment today as she was taken from her holding cell to an office in Bali's sprawling police complex, apparently for more questioning. She was escorted by several officers and a friend identified only as Vera.

Mr Rifan said documents pertaining to a criminal investigation should not be leaked. "Everyone must respect legal procedures that are applied in Indonesia," he said. Mr Rifan also brushed aside suggestions that an admission to being an addict would ensure leniency if Ms Leslie's case went to trial.

Recently, another of Mr Rifan's clients, South Australian John Pyle, was handed a jail term of only five months, for using hashish in Bali, after he said he was addicted and was being treated by a doctor.

No formal charges have been laid against Ms Leslie, but she is being held on suspicion of ecstasy possession, an offence that can carry a maximum term of 15 years in prison. Mr Rifan said he did not yet know whether his client would face that exact charge, and he urged police to conduct their investigation quickly.
Posted by: God Save The World 2005-08-26
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=127772