UK woman convicted in Laos could be freed soon

A human rights group says a British woman convicted of drug smuggling in Laos could be freed on parole within months.

Samantha Orobator was jailed in Laos for heroin trafficking in August 2008 but was transferred to a British prison following an agreement between U.K. and Lao officials.

Heroin trafficking is a capital offense in Laos, but Orobator managed to dodge the death penalty by getting pregnant in prison. She was sentenced to life instead.

A British court ruled Wednesday that Orobator must serve at least 18 months of that sentence before being eligible for release.

Rights group Reprieve says that since Orobator has already served that amount of time she could be freed on parole within months.