THE fight for the life of convicted Australian drug smuggler Scott Rush has entered its most critical phase yet, according to his parents and his parish priest.
Of particular concern is that Scott, sentenced to death in Indonesia, is being held with the two smuggling masterminds, although he was only a “mule” in the drug crime.
Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission will hold a prayer vigil for Scott at noon at Christ the King Church, Graceville, in Brisbane, on Good Friday.
Scott’s father Lee Rush, told The Catholic Leader on Tuesday that Scott’s lawyers were deciding whether to appeal in an attempt to capitalise on the lifting of death sentences on three of the Bali Nine, or to wait until “things settled down”.
Corinda Graceville parish priest Fr Tim Harris tried unsuccessfully to contact Scott in his Bali jail by phone and eventually sent a text message of support after learning earlier this month of Indonesia’s Supreme Court decision to convert death sentences for three of Scott’s co-accused to life sentences.
Fr Harris said Scott’s situation was “delicate” and that an appeal would be his last chance.
“If that fails, the only option would be for Australia’s Prime Minister to appeal for clemency,” he said.
Mr Rush said one of the hardest things since his son had been arrested with eight other Australians on April 17, 2005, in Denpasar Bali while trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin to Australia had been the “haziness of information” coming out of Indonesia.
Mr Rush said visitors had been unable to see Scott early last week, but that it was hoped that a visit, and information on his son’s wellbeing, might reach him by the weekend.
Fr Harris said: “the biggest thing we can do is to remind him that he has the backing of his parish prayer community.
“Also Fr Gerry Hefferan, who was parish priest of Graceville when Scott was a student at Christ the King school, is going over to Bali in the next few days on our behalf.
“We’re hoping he can say a Mass for Scott while he’s over there.”
