Kerry and Kay Danes

Kerry and Kay Danes
Born
Kerry Arthur Danes

(1958-10-21) 21 October 1958
NationalityAustralian
Occupation(s)Security manager, soldier
Criminal statusDetained in Laos
23 December 2000
Released 6 October 2001
Pardoned 6 November 2001
(convictions absolved)
Spouse(s)Kay Frances Danes
(same convictions and pardon as husband)
ConvictionsEmbezzlement, tax evasion and destruction of evidence.
(June 2001) (Laos)
Criminal penalty7 years prison (2000-07)
9 months served (2000-01)

$AUD1.1 million fines and compensation by formal agreement to be paid in instalments to the Laos government

Kerry Arthur Danes (a former Australian Army soldier born 21 October 1958 Longreach, Queensland) and wife Kay Frances Danes née Stewart (born 20 October 1967 Wynnum, Queensland) were imprisoned in Laos as civilians on 23 December 2000 and later convicted of embezzlement, tax evasion and destruction of evidence. They were ordered to pay fines and compensation of $AUD1.1 million.

After the Australian government intervened on their behalf, Kerry and Kay Danes were provisionally released on 6 October 2001. The pair signed a formal agreement to pay their fines by instalments, and a presidential pardon was granted on 6 November 2001, which enabled their return to Australia.