Pubdate: Mon, 16 May 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Contact:  http://www.abc.net.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/34
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Corby  (Schapelle Corby)

CORBY LAWYERS DELIVER GOVT'S LETTER

A lawyer for accused drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has delivered a final 
submission to judges in a Bali court, including a letter from the 
Australian Government detailing allegations of drug smuggling at Sydney 
airport.

Lily Lubis handed a sheaf of papers to court officials, among them 
transcripts of television programs about the Corby case, petitions from her 
supporters and chiefly the letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs 
and Trade (DFAT).

Ms Lubis says the letter is less than they had hoped for from the 
Australian Government, detailing as it does in general the drug-smuggling 
allegations revolving around Sydney airport.

Corby is accused of smuggling cannabis into Bali but her lawyers have 
alleged that drugs found in her boogie-board bag were put their by baggage 
handlers involved in drug smuggling.

Ms Lubis says she hopes the judges will consider the letter.

Prosecutors have repeated their stance that the DFAT letter has no legal 
standing at this stage of the case.

Prime Minister John Howard says the Government cannot interfere in the 
Corby case and adds that the letter does not amount to that.

"The letter represents the provision of factual information that the 
defence lawyers are entitled to have, they asked for and it will be made 
available to the court," he said.

"It is never interference to provide factual information."

While the judges in the case have said they would examine material 
submitted by today, they indicated they would not consider information 
about airports in Australia.

A verdict in Corby's case is due on Friday week.
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