Pubdate: Sat, 04 Aug 2012
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Copyright: 2012 News Limited
Contact: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/readers-comments
Website: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/113
Author: Clementine Cuneo

NEW PUSH TO FREE CONVICTED DRUG SMUGGLER SCHAPELLE CORBY

CONVICTED drug smuggler Schapelle Corby could be released on parole in
just two weeks, if a letter from the federal government supporting her
bid is viewed favourably in Indonesia.

Corby's family has welcomed the letter from the Australian government
as "great and exciting news".

The government yesterday confirmed a letter supporting Corby's parole
application was being prepared. If it is met favourably by Indonesian
authorities, Corby could be eligible to apply for release in just two
weeks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs refused to say whether the letter
would provide a guarantee that Corby will adhere to a strict set of
conditions that would likely be imposed for her parole.

"It would be premature and inappropriate to discuss the details," a
DFAT spokesman said. A Corby family spokeswoman said: "This is great
and exciting news which we are thankful for." It is understood Corby,
35, would live with her sister Mercedes in Bali to serve her parole
time.

Corby, who was caught in 2004 attempting to import 4.1kg of marijuana
into Bali in her bodyboard bag, will be eligible to apply for parole
if a recommendation that another six months be shaved from her
sentence is approved.

Her 20-year sentence was slashed by five years in May after she won an
appeal for clemency from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono. A fresh recommendation for another six-month cut, if
approved as expected, and combined with more than two years in
remissions she has already received, will mean Corby would have served
two-thirds of that sentence. Under Indonesian law, prisoners who have
served two-thirds of their sentence are eligible to apply for parole.

Gusti Ngurah Wiratna, the governor of Bali's notorious Kerobokan jail
where Corby has been imprisoned for eight years, said a guarantee
would be crucial to a successful parole application.

"There are stages that must be gone through like hearing by
correctional observer . . . guarantee from the family, and if she has
undergone two-thirds of sentence or not, as well as a guarantee from
the (Australian) embassy," Mr Wiratna said.

If she fails to win parole, the earliest Corby could walk free from
Kerobokan jail is mid-2015, so long as she continues to win the
maximum remissions each year.

The development comes amid resentment in some quarters in Indonesia
after a clemency decision in May.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt