Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: Daily Record (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/111
Author: Steven Ventura

FURY AS DRUG GIRL IS JAILED FOR 20 YEARS

Aussie family to appeal

ANGRY relatives yesterday screamed at judges who jailed an Australian woman
for 20 years for smuggling cannabis to the holiday island of Bali.

Beautician Schapelle Corby, 27, wept as the sentence was announced.

She mouthed: 'Just relax, it's OK' and hugged her tearful parents before
being led away by police.

But her mother Rosleigh Rose yelled out, 'Liar, liar' at the presiding
judges.

Other Corby supporters shouted: 'We are going to get you home. We love you.'

Outside the courtroom, Corby's sister Mercedes pledged the family would
appeal.

She added: 'This is not fair. We will get Schapelle home.'

Corby's trial has attracted massive media interest in her home country
ManyAustralians believe her claims that the 9lb of cannabis found in her
luggage at Bali airport last year were planted.

Australian prime minister John Howard said: 'Guilty or innocent, I feel for
this young woman.'

But he added: 'I ask that we all pause and understand the situation and
recognise and respect that when we visit other countries we are subject to
the laws and rules of those countries.'

His government have offered to send two senior lawyers to help Corby's
appeal and will negotiate with Indonesia on a prisoner transfer deal.

Corby, from Queensland, could have been sentenced to death under Indonesia's
tough anti-drug laws.

At Bali's Denpasar District Court, judge Wayan Suastrawan said customs staff
had testified she was nervous and tried not to open a bag when asked to.

He added: 'She was arrested red-handed at the airport.'

Defence lawyers said Corby had been 'terrified' before the hearing.

One of her team, Robin Tampoe, said: 'She tries to put on a brave face but
there was a lot of crying.'

Many Australians want their government to help Corby.

Her plight could complicate the improving relations between the neighbouring
countries.

Officials have co-operated closely in the fight against terrorism following
the Bali bombing and in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami Indonesia
imprisons scores of foreigners for drug-smuggling each year.

Officials say they see no need to grant Corby any special exemptions.
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