Anxious wait for detained Scot

The women are being held by the public prosecutor

A Scottish woman who has been under arrest in Indonesia since September could be held for a further 20 days without charge.

Lesley McCulloch and her American travelling companion are now under the authority of the public prosecutor - after being held by police since 11 September.

Ms McCulloch and Joy Lee Sadler were held over the alleged misuse of tourist visas, an offence which carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

Mattie and Donnie McCulloch wait for news

They were detained in the remote northern province of Aceh, where rebels are fighting for independence from Indonesia.

Police could hold them for up to 60 days without charging them - and that period would have expired on Sunday.

The women are now under the authority of the public prosecutor.

Ms McCulloch's mother Mattie, who lives in Dunoon, said the family was praying for good news.

She said: "Lesley's lawyer is travelling from Jakarta to see her on Saturday and I am more hopeful today than yesterday that her lawyer will be able to spell out what is going to happen.

Lives 'on hold'

"No charges have been brought against her yet and I think there will be a trial given the time they have been held over there.

"The wait has been absolutely horrendous. Our lives have been on hold all this time."

The women had previously complained to consular officials that they had been beaten and deprived of sleep.

Police said they found photographs and video footage of the separatist rebel movement in the women's bags, as well as a laptop and documents.

However, the women allege their words had been twisted and answers fabricated, and deny the allegations.