A British official says the government is paying close attention to the welfare of a pregnant UK woman Samantha Orobator (left), facing death by firing squad on charges of drug smuggling in Laos. --PHOTO: AP
LONDON - A BRITISH official says the government is paying close attention to the welfare of a pregnant UK woman facing death by firing squad on charges of drug smuggling in Laos.
Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell says diplomats and doctors have visited Samantha Orobator.
The 20-year-old woman is accused of attempting to smuggle just over half a kilogram of heroin in her luggage in August.
Mr Rammell says in a statement Saturday that the British government has expressed their opposition to the death penalty in her case.
Legal charity Reprieve says they are also concerned about Orobator's health. She is five months pregnant.
Reprieve Director Clive Stafford Smith says authorities only recently learned of Orobator's detention. -- AP
