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Communist Vietnam's secret death penalty conveyor belt: How country trails only China and Iran for 'astonishing' number of executions

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Prisoners are dragged from their cells at 4am without warning to be given a lethal injection Vietnam's use of the death penalty has been thrust into the spotlight after a real estate tycoon was on Thursday sentenced to be executed in one of the biggest corruption cases in the country's history. Truong My Lan, a businesswoman who chaired a sprawling company that developed luxury apartments, hotels, offices and shopping malls, was arrested in 2022.

Time’s running out for Scott

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BRISBANE priest Fr Tim Harris has visited Bali’s Kerbokan Prison “Death Row Tower” in what he fears is a last-ditch effort to save the life of convicted drug trafficker Scott Rush.

Fr Harris, of Corinda-Graceville parish, who left for Bali with Scott’s father Lee Rush and another parishioner Pat Cunningham last Monday, is also hoping he will be allowed to give the young man Holy Communion and an anointing.

“However, Bali being part of a Muslim country, it’s possible that Scott’s captors may not understand the significance of the sacraments and I may be refused permission to do this,” Fr Harris said.

“If I can’t do this, at the very least I’ll give Scott a special blessing if this is his wish.”

Fr Harris said he was terribly concerned that Scott’s life was in danger as the clock ticked down to the execution of the Bali bombers.

“I fear that once the bombers are executed it’s likely that Scott and other Australians currently on death row may be next,” he said.

“I’m hoping if Scott’s plight can be kept in the public eye, particularly in the awareness of our (Federal) Government, he may be spared.”

Fr Harris said he was apprehensive as it was the first time he been to Bali and Kerbokan Prison.

Fr Harris said he had been contacted by Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and assured that all was in order for his visit.

“I’ve also learnt that Australia’s Consul General to Indonesia will meet us at the prison and accompany us in,” he said.

Scott Rush was arrested with eight other Australians in Denpasar, Bali, while trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin to Australia on April 17, 2005.

Fr Harris said he had made a snap decision to visit Scott after talking with Lee Rush during an October 10 World Anti-Death Penalty Day event in Brisbane.

Both Scott and another one of the Bali Nine Michael Czugaj were once Corinda-Graceville parishioners.

Scott was a student at Christ the King Primary School Graceville and Michael was at St Joseph’s, Corinda.

“Visiting Scott on death row seemed the right thing to do if I was going to continue to have any credibility,” he said.

Fr Harris left with Lee Rush and Pat Cunningham on Monday and was planning to return last Wednesday (October 22).

Source: The Catholic Leader
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