Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: Australian Associated Press (Australia Wire)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Schapelle (Schapelle Corby)

CORBY FOUND GUILTY; GETS 20YEARS

SCHAPELLE Corby has been found guilty of importing drugs into Indonesia and 
sentenced to 20 years prison.

Scenes of pandemonium broke out in the courtroom after the sentence with 
Corby's family shouting "Schapelle is innocent".

Corby then appeared to turn to her mother and mouth the words: "It's okay mum".

Judges also fined Corby 100 million rupiah ($A13,870).

The judges said they accepted the evidence of police and customs officials 
that Corby admitted to owning the drugs, despite her denials.

"The defendant has been proven legally and convincingly guilty" a 
translator quoted the judges as saying on Sky News.

"We've found that drugs were imported into Indonesia. Importation is 
illegal in Indonesia and it occurred at Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar. 
This occurred without a licence or any permit to do so. It may not be done 
by anyone."

"She has been unrepentant to this. It is found the defendant is responsible 
for the narcotics and this should be considered when handing down the 
judgement."

Corby's family immediately made a plea to President Susilo Bambang 
Yudhoyono to release her.

Citing the help provided by Australia during the recent tsunami disaster, 
her brother said: "For a friendship to grow there must be giving among friends.

"All Australia asks is that you give Schapelle back to us"

Corby's financial backer Ron Bakir refused to accept the verdict and said 
the team would appeal the decision.

During two hours reading their 80 page finding, the three-judge bench said 
they were in agreement that the evidence proved Corby guilty.

They dismissed evidence from Melbourne prisoner John Ford that Corby was 
the innocent victim of a domestic drug-trafficking operation and claims of 
a drug ring operating among baggage handlers at Sydney Airport. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake