Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005
Source: Herald Sun (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 Herald and Weekly Times
Contact:  http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/187
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Schapelle (Schapelle Corby)

CORBY MAY SERVE SENTENCE AT HOME

ACCUSED drug smuggler Schapelle Corby could serve out her sentence in
Brisbane if she is found guilty by an Indonesian court next week

But Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said today Ms Corby's sentence
would not be any lighter at the jail, which is at Wacol, west of Brisbane.

"If she is found guilty, then Schapelle Corby can apply to serve her
time in the place of origin, which is Queensland," Mr Beattie told
Southern Cross Radio today.

"And yes we would accept her and yes it would most likely be the
Brisbane Women's Prison."

A verdict in Ms Corby's case is expected to be handed down in Denpasar
District Court next Friday. She faces life in jail if convicted of
smuggling 4.1kg of cannabis into Bali last October.

She says the drugs were planted in her bags.

Indonesia has said it is willing to negotiate a general prisoner
transfer deal with Canberra, with the likely model one already struck
between Australia and Thailand.

If convicted and brought back to Australia, Ms Corby would not be able
to appeal her sentence in Australian courts, Mr Beattie said.

"As I understand the agreement, it would require her to serve the
sentence with the decision handed out in Indonesia, otherwise they
wouldn't let her come home."

Any appeal would have to take place before she was repatriated to
Australia and the process could take years, Mr Beattie said.

Mr Beattie also said he disapproved of having television cameras in
the Bali courtroom, focusing in on Ms Corby's face as her sentence was
read out.

"How would you feel if you were in that position yourself," Mr Beattie
said.

"It would be dreadful." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake