Japanese teen in Bali likely to face prison for marijuana possession

BALI (AP) - Prosecutors say a 16-year-old Japanese boy accused of possessing marijuana on Indonesia's resort island of Bali could spend more than a decade behind bars if convicted.

State prosecutor Romulus Haholongan said on Thursday that the boy has been detained in a police cell since Aug 8, when he allegedly bought a small amount of marijuana while vacationing with his mother. The teenager is too young to be identified under Indonesian law.

Mr Haholongan said the boy will stand trial this month and faces 12 years in detention under Indonesia's tough narcotics law.

Late last year, a 14-year-old Australian boy avoided prison after serving two months in an Indonesia detention center for buying drugs. The court showed leniency after the boy expressed remorse and said he had bought the drugs for personal use.