Former mining executive Troy Birthisel, 54, was arrested while attempting to fly to Singapore with his Filipino girlfriend and six other women.
After a trial which took years to reach its conclusion amid prolonged delays, the Queensland father of six was on Friday found guilty by a judge of the crime of illegal recruitment involving economic sabotage in a large scale. He was handed a life sentence.
Birthisel was not physically in court for the verdict and sentencing but appeared by video link, said Lulu, who indicated he would mount an appeal to a higher court in Cebu. The Australian’s lawyer said Birthisel’s girlfriend, Lovely Modina, had also received a life sentence and they had been fined 2 million pesos .According to Carlos Isagani Zarate, a legal expert and former congressman in the south-east Asian nation, prisoners sentenced to life usually served between 30 and 40 years, the maximum.
According to court documents, his legal team argued the prosecution had found no link between Birthisel and the supposed would-be employer of the women, Hospitality Staff Asia, while four of the women recanted statements given to investigators, saying they had been pressured to provide evidence against him to have their passports returned and had been afraid.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australian sentenced to life in Philippines for ‘illegal recruitment’Former mining executive Troy Birthisel, 54, was arrested while attempting to fly to Singapore with his Filipino girlfriend and six other women.
Read more »
Australian sentenced to life in Philippines for ‘illegal recruitment’Former mining executive Troy Birthisel, 54, was arrested while attempting to fly to Singapore with his Filipino girlfriend and six other women.
Read more »
Australian Agriculture Minister Optimistic About Lifting China's Tariffs on Australian ProductsAgriculture Minister Murray Watt expresses confidence that China will lift further tariffs on Australian products, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to visit Beijing. While China has agreed to review tariffs on Australian wines, efforts are ongoing to ease tensions and remove embargoes on other commodities such as lobster, beef, and sheep.
Read more »
Former Australian Prime Ministers Condemn Hatred Spread by HamasSix former Australian prime ministers release a joint statement expressing support for a two-state solution and condemning the hatred spread by Hamas in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Read more »
Former Australian Prime Ministers Condemn Hatred Spread by HamasSix former Australian prime ministers release a joint statement expressing support for a two-state solution and condemning the hatred spread by Hamas in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Read more »
Former Australian Prime Ministers Express Support for Israel and Solidarity with Jewish AustraliansAll living prime ministers of Australia, except for Paul Keating, have come together to express their support for Israel and call for solidarity with Jewish Australians. They condemn Hamas and emphasize the importance of avoiding hate speech against any Australian community.
Read more »