Aussie lobbies RI over drug suspect

Aussie lobbies RI over drug suspect

Associated Press, Jakarta

Australia's justice minister on Thursday lobbied his
Indonesian counterpart over the case of an Australian drug
suspect facing a possible death sentence, but denied his
government was intervening in the high-profile prosecution.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison acknowledged he brought up the
case of Schapelle Corby, on trial for drug smuggling on the
island of Bali, with Indonesia's Minister Justice and Human
Rights Hamid Awaluddin. He also said he had agreed to a request
from Corby's lawyers to discuss "a number of issues" related to
the case when he met the Indonesian attorney general.

But, Ellison said, "I don't think anyone would ask us or
expect us to intervene in court proceedings. That would be an
inappropriate request in Australia and an inappropriate request
in Indonesia."

He said the government will do whatever it can within the
bounds of the law to assist Corby. "That does not mean
intervention in legal proceedings. We respect the independence of
judiciary in Indonesia as we do the independence of the judiciary
in Australia," he said.

Corby was arrested on Indonesia's Bali island in October after
airport authorities found 4.1 kilograms (9 pounds) of marijuana
in her surfboard bag as she arrived for a family holiday. Corby
has maintained her innocence, claiming the drugs were planted.

The case has become front-page news in Australia and turned
the 27-year-old beauty student into a minor celebrity. She faces
a maximum death sentence if convicted, and some Australians have
suggested she could become a victim of Indonesia's corrupt and
poorly run judicial system.

Her lawyers allege the drugs were planted by baggage handlers
involved in a domestic drug trafficking operation in the eastern
city of Brisbane, where Corby boarded the plane. The marijuana
was meant to be removed by handlers in Sydney, where an
unsuspecting Corby transferred to an Indonesia-bound flight.

But the drugs were never picked up, the lawyers say, leaving
Corby holding the bag.

Ellison said he also discussed with Hamid a possible prisoner
transfer agreement, which would allow foreign convicts to serve
time in prison back home.