# List of Australians imprisoned or executed abroad

This list of Australians imprisoned or executed abroad includes those cases where:
* the person was arrested and charged with or convicted of notable crimes whilst abroad.
* the person is an otherwise notable person in Australia.

## Argentina

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Stephen John Sutton | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking | 4 February 2003 | November 2008 | Sentenced to 11 years. Released from prison in November 2008. |

## Bulgaria

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Jock Palfreeman | Sydney, New South Wales | Murder and wounding | December 2007 | Paroled in September 2019 | Sentenced to 20 years' jail. |

## Cambodia

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Gordon Vuong | Campsie, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | January 2005 | 2018 | Sentenced to 13 years in May 2005. |

## China

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Francis James | Sydney, New South Wales | None (accused of espionage) | 4 November 1969 | 16 January 1973 | Australian publisher, detained without trial until deportation. |
| Stern Hu | Melbourne, Victoria | Stealing commercial secrets and receiving bribes | 5 July 2009 | July 2018 | Australian iron ore enterprise businessman. Sentenced to 10 years' jail. |
| Kalynda Davis | Sydney, New South Wales | No conviction | 8 November 2014 | 9 December 2014 | Arrested for allegedly smuggling 30kg of Crystal Meth and faced execution if convicted. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop intervened and negotiated Davis' release. No conviction – returned to Australia free. |
| Henry Chin | Sydney, New South Wales | Convicted of trying to send 270 grams of methamphetamine to Australia | May 2004 | | Sentenced to death in 2005. The sentence was suspended for two years. Current fate is unknown. |
| Karm Gilespie | Ballarat, Victoria | Smuggling 7.5 kg of methamphetamine out of China | 2013 | | Death sentence announced on 10 June 2020 by Guangzhou District Court after having been missing for 7 years. |

## Colombia

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Cassandra Sainsbury | Adelaide, South Australia | Drug trafficking (cocaine) | 11 April 2017 | 16 April 2020 | Sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment. Paroled after 3 years; remained in Colombia for 23 months and deported. |

## Egypt

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Peter Greste | Brisbane, Queensland | Using unlicensed equipment to broadcast false information to defame and destabilise Egypt | 29 December 2013 | 1 February 2015 (deported) | 23 June 2014: Sentenced to seven years' jail. 1 January 2015: Court of Cassation announced retrial. 1 February 2015: Deported to Australia to face prison or trial in his home country. (Australia not uphold either). 29 August 2015: Egyptian retrial sentenced Greste in absentia to another three years. Sentence avoided because he did not return to Egypt. If full sentences served, Greste would have been incarcerated until December 2023. |

## Fiji

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Thomas McCosker | Warrnambool, Victoria | Sodomy | 3 April 2005 | 28 August 2005 | Sentenced to 2 years' jail for sodomy. Conviction overturned on constitutional grounds on 26 August 2005. |

## Indonesia

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Schapelle Corby | Gold Coast, Queensland | Drug trafficking (cannabis) | 8 October 2004 | 10 February 2014 | Sentenced in 2005 to 20 years. Sentence reduced on appeal in 2005 to 15 years. Sentence increased on further appeal in 2005 to 20 years. Released from Kerobokan Prison on Monday 10 February 2014 after being granted parole on Friday 7 February 2014. Of her original 20-year sentence, Corby only served 9 years and 259 days. |
| Andrew Chan | Enfield, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | Executed | Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006. Executed by firing squad on 29 April 2015. |
| Si Yi Chen | Doonside, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | 15 December 2024 | Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006. Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006. Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006. Sentence reduced to life imprisonment on 15 March 2008. |
| Michael Czugaj | Oxley, Queensland | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | 15 December 2024 | Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006. Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006. Sentence increased to life on 6 September 2006. |
| Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen | Wellington Point, Queensland | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | Died 9 May 2018 | Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006. Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006. Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006. Sentence reduced to life imprisonment on 15 March 2008. Died from stomach cancer on 9 May 2018 |
| Matthew Norman | Quakers Hill, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | 15 December 2024 | Sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2006. Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006. Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006. Sentence reduced to life imprisonment in March 2008. |
| Scott Rush | Chelmer, Queensland | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | 15 December 2024 | Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006. Sentence increased to the death penalty on 6 September 2006. Sentence reduced to life imprisonment upon 11 May 2011 on appeal to the Indonesian Supreme Court. |
| Martin Stephens | Towradgi, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | 15 December 2024 | Sentenced to life imprisonment on 14 February 2006. |
| Myuran Sukumaran | Auburn, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | Executed | Sentenced to death on 14 February 2006. Executed by firing squad on 29 April 2015. |
| Renae Lawrence | Newcastle, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 17 April 2005 | 21 November 2018 | Sentenced to life imprisonment on 13 February 2006. Sentence reduced to 20 years on 27 April 2006. Released and deported on 21 November 2018 |
| Michelle Leslie | Adelaide, South Australia | Possession of ecstasy tablets | 21 August 2005 | 19 November 2005 | Controversially declared herself a Muslim during her imprisonment. It was alleged that some of her lawyers distributed bribes to secure her freedom. |
| Michael Sacatides | Wentworthville, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (methamphetamine) | 1 October 2010 | | Sentenced in 2011 to 18 years in Bali's Kerobokan Jail. |
A prisoner exchange agreement is currently being negotiated between Australia and Indonesia.

## Israel

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Denis Michael Rohan | Sydney | Arson attack | 23 August 1969 | 14 May 1974 | Found to be insane, and hospitalised in a mental institution. Deported from Israel 14 May 1974, he was reported to have died in 1995 under psychiatric care, but later found alive and interviewed by the ABC in 2009, before eventually dying in 2013. |

## Kuwait

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Tallaal Adrey | Auburn, New South Wales | Weapons possession Weapons trading Ammunition possession Ammunition trading | 14 February 2005 | 2009 | Sentenced to 4 years. |

## Laos

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Kerry and Kay Danes | Brisbane, Queensland | Tax evasion Embezzlement Destruction of evidence (pardoned and absolved) | 23 December 2000 | 6 October 2001 | Sentenced to seven years prison each The Australian government intervened Provisionally released 6 October 2001 The Danes agreed to pay court-ordered $AUD1.1 million in fines and compensation in four equal instalments Presidential pardon 6 November 2001 Pardon absolved the Danes convictions Both returned to Australia free |

## Marshall Islands

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Carl Heine | Singleton, New South Wales | No trial | 1942 | Executed | Executed by beheading in April 1944. |

## Malaysia

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Kevin Barlow (a dual British citizen) | Perth, Western Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 9 November 1983 | Executed | Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986. |
| Brian Chambers | Perth, Western Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 9 November 1983 | Executed | Executed by hanging on 7 July 1986. |
| Michael McAuliffe | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 29 June 1985 | Executed | Executed by hanging in June 1993. |
| Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (methamphetamine) | December 2014 | 26 November 2019 | Acquitted by the Malaysian High Court and ordered immediate release. |

## New Zealand

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Brenton Tarrant | Grafton, New South Wales | Murder Attempted murder Terrorism | 15 March 2019 | | Trial date listed for 2 June 2020. Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on 27 August 2020 |

## North Korea

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| John Short | Barmera, South Australia | Circulation of Christian literature at a Buddhist temple | 16 February 2014 | 3 March 2014 | Was originally arrested for missionary work in North Korea. He subsequently apologised on television. Released 3 March 2014 and was deported. |

## Philippines

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Peter Scully | Melbourne, Victoria | Human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and torture of children | 20 February 2015 | | Sentenced to life in prison in 2018, and received an additional 129 years for a second conviction in 2022. |

## Singapore

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Robert Page and nine others | Various – members of Z Special Unit | Perfidy and espionage (Operation Rimau) | December 1944 – January 1945 | Executed | Executed by beheading on 7 July 1945. |
| Van Tuong Nguyen | Melbourne, Victoria | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 12 December 2002 | Executed | Executed by hanging on 2 December 2005. |

## South African Republic (Transvaal)

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Harry Harbord 'Breaker' Morant | Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia | War crimes | 23 October 1901 | Executed | Executed by firing squad on 27 February 1902. |
| Peter Handcock | New South Wales | War crimes | 23 October 1901 | Executed | Executed by firing squad on 27 February 1902. |
| George Witton | Victoria, Australia | War crimes | 23 October 1901 | 11 August 1904 | Sentenced to death by firing squad, which was commuted to life in prison. Released early due to public and political pressure in England and Australia. |

## Sri Lanka

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Reg Spiers | Adelaide, South Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 1 December 1984 | 1987 | Sentenced to death, acquitted on appeal. |

## Thailand

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Warren Fellows | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 11 October 1978 | 11 January 1990 | Sentenced to life, received a pardon. |
| Paul Hayward | Sydney, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | 11 October 1978 | 7 April 1989 | Sentenced to 30 years, received a pardon. |
| Nola Blake | Botany, New South Wales | Drug trafficking (heroin) | January 1987 | March 1998 | Originally sentenced to death, later commuted to life in prison. Received a Royal Pardon. |
| Holly Deane-Johns | Western Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | August 2000 | December 2012 | Sentenced to 31 years. Transferred to Bandyup Women's Prison in Australia in late 2007. |
| Robert Halliwell | Sydney | Drug trafficking (heroin) | August 2000 | | Arrested with Deane-Johns whilst attempting to post heroin to Australia. Police later found another 110 grams of heroin in Halliwell's apartment. Sentenced to life imprisonment. |
A prisoner exchange agreement exists between Australia and Thailand allowing prisoner transfers.

## United Arab Emirates

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Samandar Hout Kilani | Afghanistan / Australia | Robbery | July 2011 | September 2013 | 3 year prison sentence in Dubai's Central Jail. |

## United Kingdom

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Rolf Harris | Bassendean, Western Australia | Indecent assault | August 2013 | 19 May 2017 | Sentenced to 5 years and 9 months' imprisonment on 4 July 2014. |
| Julian Assange | Townsville, Queensland | Skipping bail | 11 April 2019 | 26 June 2024 | Sentenced to 50 weeks' imprisonment on 1 May 2019 |

## United States

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Jean-Philippe Wispelaere | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Espionage | 15 May 1999 | 2012 | Former Defence Intelligence Organisation officer who sought to sell secrets to a foreign power. |
| Mamdouh Habib | Sydney, New South Wales | none | 5 October 2001 | 28 January 2005 | Arrested in 2001, Habib was interrogated by Pakistani and US CIA agents before being transferred to Egypt, then to a black site in Afghanistan, where he was further interrogated under torture. Transferred to Guantanamo Bay detention camp in 2002. Released without charge in 2005. |
| David Hicks | Adelaide, South Australia | Unlawful combatant | November 2001 | 1 January 2008 | Prisoner of the US Government held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on unlawful combatant charges. Returned to Australia on 20 May 2007 to serve the remaining nine months of his sentence in Yatala Labour Prison, Adelaide. |
| Russell Moore | Melbourne, Victoria | Murder Robbery Sexual assault | 1988 | Deceased | Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 1991 for the murder, robbery and sexual assault of Barbara Barber in Melbourne, Florida. Died in custody at the Apalachee Correctional Institution on 2 June 2021. |

## Vietnam

| Prisoner | From | Convictions | Arrested | Release date | Notes |
| Phạm Trung Dũng | Vietnam / Australia | Drug trafficking (heroin) | May 2013 | | Sentenced to death on 27 June 2014. |