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WHITE CHRISTMAS

'He is guilty of importing a type one narcotic, cocaine, and the court punishes the defendant with the death penalty,' said presiding judge Suprapto. 'The defendant was one link in an international narcotics network that has threatened the country.'

Moreira, 42, gave a courteous hand gesture to the court after the verdict and his lawyer said he would appeal. The judge chided Moreira for escaping at the airport in August when customs officers quizzed him about the hang-glider. Asked by reporters how he managed to slip away from airport authorities, Moreira said: 'I'm David Copperfield' - a reference to the US magician.

– Reuters News, 8 June 2004

Marco's story was headline news in Brazil, with reports that he could be put to death by an elephant crushing his head.

The Brazilian sentenced to death can be executed with an elephant kick crushing his skull. Or, if their executors employ what they call a 'more humane method', then he may be shot.

– Istoé Independente, 16 June 2004

The Brazilian Marco Archer, known among the communities of surfing and hang-gliding by 'Curumim', was sentenced to death yesterday by the Indonesian court ... The executions are carried out by a firing squad or by crushing the head by the leg of an elephant.

– Waves, 8 June 2004

The head-crushing stories continued despite being refuted by the Indonesian embassy in Brasília.

The Indonesian Embassy in Brasília denied, as was reported by the press, that if convicted and sentenced to death, Moreira will have his

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