RI Embassy gets death threats

RI Embassy gets death threats

AUSTRALIA: The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra has received death threats over the trial in Bali of an Australian drug smuggling suspect, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The spokesman confirmed a report in the Canberra Times about the threats but declined to elaborate, saying it could hamper an Australian police investigation.

Ambassador Imron Cotan told the paper the embassy had received several e-mails about the case of Schapelle Corby, with some containing death threats.

He said it was important to remember that the Indonesian government had no influence over the courts.

A spokesman for Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer condemned the death threats as disgraceful and counterproductive, saying they are "most unhelpful" to Corby's case.

Corby's case has attracted huge interest and sympathy, with Prime Minister John Howard saying that "the whole country feels for her". -- AFP