Barlow and Chambers execution
The Barlow and Chambers execution refers to the hanging of two Australian citizens, Kevin John Barlow and Brian Geoffrey Chambers, in Malaysia's Pudu Prison in 1986 for the alleged drug trafficking of 141.9g of heroin.
The two men became the first westerners to be executed under Malaysia's new tougher laws for drug offences. The executions caused public outcry and strained political relations between Australia and Malaysia at the time.
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Arrests and trial
Barlow and Chambers were both arrested at Penang International Airport on November 9, 1983. They were sentenced by the Penang High Court on August 1, 1985 and later hanged in Pudu Prison on July 7, 1986.
Political statements
Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, made a passionate plea for a stay of execution on behalf of the two men. He later labelled Malaysians as "barbarians" for carrying out the executions.
Australia's opposition against the death penalty infuriated Mahathir Mohamad, and led to an aggressive Anti-Australian sentiment potentially harming Australian business.
Aftermath
A four hour television mini series was released in 1988 titled, Barlow and Chambers: A Long Way From Home (Dadah is Death)'.
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