An Australian boy allegedly caught with a small amount of marijuana in Bali is likely to remain in custody for weeks, if not months, even if authorities recommend he should be released into the custody of his parents.
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The prospect of a prolonged stay at Denpasar police headquarters was revealed yesterday by the 14-year-old's lawyer, Mohammad Rifan, who said recommendations in two reports to be made on the boy this week would have to be considered by a judge before they were accepted.
A decision may not be made for another seven weeks and the boy was unlikely to be released before then, Mr Rifan said.
An admission that he had bought the drugs under pressure from a dealer was also likely to hamper the prospects of an earlier release. The schoolboy, from Morisset Park south of Newcastle, was preparing to spend his sixth night at police headquarters yesterday.
It is understood he is now in better spirits, but still under ''an incredible amount of stress'' as he waits for police to complete their investigation and decide whether to charge him.
Mr Rifan said he hoped reports by Indonesian BAPAS (welfare) officers and a psychiatrist would be handed to authorities this week.
''We hope [today or tomorrow] they will give the recommendation,'' he said at the Bali police headquarters.
