Distillery owner could face only three months in jail over alleged poisoning Australian teenagers
A court in Laos has announced charges against a distillery owner linked to the methanol poisoning deaths of several international backpackers, including two Australians. The accused faces a potential sentence of three months to four years for selling harmful food and operating an illegal business.
Why it matters
The case highlights international legal challenges regarding tourist safety and the perceived leniency of penalties for fatal negligence in foreign jurisdictions.
Mark and Michelle Jones discuss the case of their daughter Bianca and Holly Morton-Bowles. Photograph: ABC/Australian Broadcasting Corp/AP Mark and Michelle Jones discuss the case of their daughter Bianca and Holly Morton-Bowles. Photograph: ABC/Australian Broadcasting Corp/AP Australia news Distillery owner could face only three months in jail over alleged poisoning Australian teenagers Fears of light charges in case of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles and four other travellers confirmed by Laos court
Prefer the Guardian on Google The distillery owner linked to the deaths of Australian backpackers Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles could serve just three months in jail after a court in Laos announced charges over the case.
The teenagers, who were both 19, were travelling through south-east Asia when they were fatally poisoned with methanol while drinking at Nana backpackers hostel in Vang Vieng.
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