BALI, Indonesia 芒鈧珺次元官网网址� An Indonesian court sentenced a former Reuters war correspondent to seven months in prison on Thursday for possessing hashish.
The sentence announced at the Denpasar District Court in Bali was less than the one-year prison term sought by prosecutors.
British national David Fox was arrested Oct. 8 along with Australian Giuseppe Serafino on the tourist island, where police confiscated a total of 10.09 grams (0.36 ounces) of hashish from Fox's clothing and house.
With time already served, Fox is due for release in May.
Through his lawyer, Fox thanked supporters and said he accepted the court's judgment.
"I am very grateful for this lenient sentence," he said.
Fox, 55, worked for Reuters for 20 years but was fired in 2011 for making an
In his indictment, presiding Judge Erwin Djong noted Fox's testimony that he used hashish to cope with the trauma suffered from covering conflicts but said there was no justification for drug use, which was a negative influence on Indonesia's youth.
Bali police first raided Serafino's house in the beachside town and resort area of Sanur, where they seized 7.32 grams (0.26 ounces) of hashish. His arrest led to the detention of Fox at a bar run by Serafino.
Prosecutors have also sought a one-year prison term for Serafino, 49, who is being tried separately. His sentencing is expected on Tuesday.
Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws and convicted traffickers are often executed. More than 150 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes. About a third of them are foreigners.
Eighteen people convicted of drug-related
The Associated Press
