'Bali nine' drug trials under way

Muran Sukumaran is accused of masterminding the operation

The first trials in the case of nine Australians accused of smuggling heroin from Bali have opened on the Indonesian island.

Two men stood trial on Tuesday, Michael Czugaj, 24, and Muran Sukumaran, 20.

The judges adjourned both trials after hearing a list of indictments against the two men.

The trials of the other seven alleged traffickers are expected to begin this week. All face the death penalty if found guilty.

Dubbed the "Bali nine" by the Australian media, the eight men and one woman were arrested at Bali airport in April and accused of carrying more than 8.2kg (18lb) of heroin.

They will be called to give evidence against each other, according to Australian broadcaster ABC.

Sukumaran, from Sydney, was one of the masterminds of the operation along with another of the accused, Andrew Chan, prosecutor Olopan Nainggolan told the court on Tuesday.

"On March 30, 2005, the defendant met with Andrew Chan and another person at the Roseland Shopping Centre in Sydney where they planned the transfer of heroin from Bali to Australia," Mr Nainggolan said.

Alleged mule

Czugaj, from Brisbane, had heroin strapped to his body along with three other members of the gang, according to a prosecutor in his trial, David Adji.

Sukumaran promised the alleged mules A$5,000 ($3,800) when they arrived in Australia, prosecutors said.

The judges adjourned both trials until next Tuesday after hearing a list of indictments against the two men.

Indonesia has increasingly become a transit route for drug traffickers, and courts across the country have toughened up on offenders in recent years, sentencing several foreigners to death for serious drugs offences.

Another Australian, beauty therapist Schapelle Corby, was found guilty of smuggling marijuana into Bali and sentenced to 20 years in jail in May.