Australia seeks access to jailed girls

The Australian sisters are being held in Ho Chi Minh City

By Clare Arthurs BBC Hanoi correspondent

Australian diplomats are still waiting for access to three sisters who have been detained in Vietnam's southerly Ho Chi Minh City since late last Friday on heroin smuggling charges.

The three sisters have been accused of trying to smuggle more than 600 grams of heroin

Two of the sisters are aged 12 and 14. Their older sister could face the death penalty if the charges are upheld.

All three are Australians of Vietnamese origin.

Vietnamese police allege that the two younger girls were carrying heroin in their underwear.

Visiting relatives

The three sisters have now spent their fifth day in police custody in Ho Chi Minh City.

Australian consular officials say they have been seeking urgent access but have so far been denied permission to visit the detention centre.

They say they want to ensure the sisters are well and have legal advice.

Phan Thi Ngoc Phuong, 24, from Melbourne, and her two sisters, both from Sydney, were arrested at Tan Son Nhat international airport on their way back to Australia.

It is believed they had been visiting relatives.

Tricked?

Ms Phan's baby son was also in the group, but is being cared for by his grandmother.

Australian Government officials say the three sisters have been accused of trying to smuggle more than 600 grams of heroin - an amount which would attract the death penalty for Ms Phan if she is convicted.

It could also mean a tough jail sentence for the 14-year-old and a re-education camp for the youngest child.

However senior local police have told the BBC that they are considering leniency for the two young girls.

The police say the girls may have been tricked by adults and they are waiting to discuss the case with the Australian authorities.