Mongolian detention 'taking its toll' on Australian

An Australian lawyer being held in Mongolia over corruption allegations is still no closer to knowing when she will be able to return home.

It has been a month since 32-year-old Sarah Armstrong was detained in the capital Ulaanbaatar.

She is being prevented from leaving Mongolia while authorities investigate allegations of corruption against her employer, SouthGobi Resources, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto.

She is being protected by two guards at all times and the Australian consulate has her passport for safe-keeping.

Ms Armstrong's friend Luke Dean recently visited her.

"She's holding up well. Sarah's an incredibly strong woman, but it's certainly starting to take a toll," he said.

"It's been nearly 30 days now and we don't seem to be any closer to knowing if and when she's coming home.

"So, it's obviously starting to get to her."

Ms Armstrong has been questioned three times by Mongolia's independent authority against corruption.

Foreign minister Bob Carr said Ms Armstrong has had daily contact from Australia's consul-general, David Lawson.

"We're taking a keen interest in her case. I raised it with the foreign minister of Mongolia, who I met in Bali last week," Mr Carr said.

"I asked him if he'd take an interest in it as he has taken an interest in it in the first days of her case.

"I'll continue to get reports from our consul-general.

"I hope this case our can be resolved very soon and she'll be able to travel out of Mongolia.

"The government of Mongolia is pursuing an inquiry into something related to corruption. We can't take charge of that inquiry.

"We can express our concern to the government of Mongolia. We would like it resolved as soon as possible and we can be in contact with the person, Sarah Armstrong in this instance, who is the focus of the inquiries."

Mongolia's Ambassador to Australia, Ravdan Bold, said earlier this week he believed it was unlikely she would be charged.

"This investigation is just connected with the company's activity, there is nothing against her," Dr Bold said.

"So according to my knowledge the authority just ask from her some information regarding this company activity."

Comments

  1. I refer to the above matter and direct your attention to the provisions of section 42 of Clause 9 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900 (UK). That provision and the Schedule to which it refers can be found here:

    http://www-personal.edfac.usyd.edu.au/staff/souters/constitution/ConstitutionAct.html


    Section 42 states: "Every senator and every member of the House of Representatives shall before taking his seat make and subscribe before the Governor-General, or some person authorised by him, an oath or affirmation of allegiance in the form set forth in the schedule to this Constitution."


    The Schedule referred to states: "I, A.B., do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Her heirs and successors according to law. SO HELP ME GOD!

    AFFIRMATION.

    "I, A.B., do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Her heirs and successors according to law. "(NOTE - The name of the King or Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the time being is to be substituted from time to time.)"

    That Schedule can also be found here:

    http://www-personal.edfac.usyd.edu.au/staff/souters/constitution/ConstitutionAct.html


    The oath taken by Julia Gillard and her Cabinet was not the oath as is specified under section 42 or as provided in the Schedule to the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900 (UK) and it therefore follows that no one in the Federal government of Australia has been properly and legally appointed to their Office.

    See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HUyut-wPbg

    What authority does the Australian government have?
    I reckon that Sarah is in a bit of trouble, don't you?

    ReplyDelete

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