Aussies in Rangoon Jail

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Aussies in Rangoon jail
Australian News Network
2may99

A WA woman is one of two Australians being held in Rangoon's Insein jail on
separate smuggling and narcotics charges. 

The Burmese Government said Mrs Jean Mellican had been sentenced to 10 years
in jail after she was convicted of smuggling gems through Rangoon airport. 

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday Mellican had
failed to declare jewellery worth $5000 when she tried to leave Burma. She
was jailed last November. 

Officials in Canberra said Mellican, a Burmese national with an Australian
passport, was launching an appeal. 

The Burmese Government said Mellican had been visited in prison by her
daughter and son-in-law. 

A second Australian, identified as Mr R. Gregurek, 45, is on trial on
narcotics charges. 

The Queensland man has been allowed access to consular officials, according
to a Burmese Government statement. 

He has been held in Rangoon since February 15. 

It is believed Gregurek was staying in a house where a small amount of
heroin was found during a raid by Burmese authorities. 

Officials said the man had pleaded not guilty to the charges.