Update on the Schapelle Corby case in Kerobokan Bali
The Schapelle Corby case is one that promises to hog the news for the foreseeable future. An article I read in the Border Mail offers the latest developments. Lawyers representing accused Australian drug-trafficker Schapelle Corby have claimed that the Australian Federal Police has shown a bewildering lack of co-operation may have condemned the former beauty student to 27 years in a Bali jail. The lawyers had a hard time getting the Australian government to admit there might be link between events in and around the Sydney airport and this case.
If this is part of a major set-up the manure is about to hit the fan. More likely is a guilty verdict with the young lady being able to serve part of her sentence back in Australia. I fully expect a lot of people to buy-into this case on an emotional level and completely ignore the most likely scenario. Looking around online there are sites supporting Schappelle.
If you want to offer your thoughts, advice, wishes please post them on Baliblog.
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
I am interested to know how she failed to notice the extra weight in her body-board bag when she carried it from thre carousel through customs.
A Body Board isn’t that heavy, its made of foam. She had another 9lbs that wasn’t there when she packed it. Is that credible?
G’Day Nick,
When your luggage is unloaded from the plane at Denpasar, it is scanned before it enters the baggage carousel. All it takes is for you to place your hand on the luggage when picking it up off the carousel to be classified as possession.
Having said that, I am not aware of when or where in the airport the Customs detained her and searched her bag. But I do agree with you regarding the weight factor.
I think it’s a good lesson to all of us travellers. Use locks on your cases, and, if you notice anything untoward with your bag on the carousel then report it to a Customs officer BEFORE you place your hand on it. At least this way you have omething going in your defence IN CASE drugs have been placed in your bags or cases.
Nick.
I bought into this case on emotion. Then I gathered all availible facts that have been relased over the past 6 months. The only answer I could draw is that she is innocent. It is a tragedy that she is even risking prison time.
Kyle
I don’t know what amount of drugs you would expect to be trafficked via airport luggage. Estimates for its Australian street value range up to Au80,000+ Thats a tidy profit after an outlay of perhaps Au35,000 or less wholesale, delivery included in the price.
But you are kind of right. I would think that traffickers try to find the easiest, fastest, safest route to get their drugs around. Pills and injectables don’t take up nearly as much room or weight ‘pound for dollar’. So taking over 80,000 dollars worth of lots of other drugs internatinally in this way makes much more sense. But thats where the baggage handlers at domestic airports come under scrutiny. If, just before the plane is loaded, a handler finds a perfect, easy access piece of luggage and has a friend at the next domestic airport who simply awaits pickup instructions, it becomes a logical mode of transport. Low risk. Lower risk than transporting that amount of drugs across (even Australias open-) borders. No cops. No security. Bypassing almost all potential for discovery and making unsuspecting mules out of innocent peoples luggage. But something went wrong this time. Thats all. And the poorly concealed drugs ended up at dempasar airport instead.
Nick
Schapelle had just finished hours of travel when she arrived at dempasar. Maybe she did think ‘ohh thats really heavy’ because her mate saw her struggling and told Shcapelles brother to help her carry it. He carried the boogie board bag to customs.
As to whether its incredible that she didn’t immediately stop, say ‘there is something in there that I didn’t put in’ and become suspicious - come on. She had four bags. She was excited. She was exhausted. The bags had already made it onto on the plane and usually thats your only concern when considering weight. They had arrived at her destination. Nothing left to think about. Oh and she had flippers in the bag too, so it contained ’stuff other than’ the boogie board. That about all I would consider or remember after a jouney like that.
Barrie
yep its a good lesson in safe travelling. But its still a girls whole life and future that may well be taken away. Please learn all about the case and I promise you, you will be moved by it too. Then visit http://www.dontshootschapelle.com and download a petition. Get some signatures and get it to the corby family by the end of next week.
This is a fellow traveller. A completely innocent fellow traveller. She needs all the support she can get.
The discovery of traffickable quantities of Marijuana being exported from Australia to Bali via air is unprecendented. It has never happened before. The only reason Schapelle will be found guilty is because she may not have been able to PROVE her innocence. Not because the prosecution have a trail of evidence that PROVES her guilt. There is a huge difference.
They have the pot, in her bag. Possesion. They cannot prove she is linked to drug trafficking or any crimial activity at all.
Schapelle has tried to get evidence from the Australian airports. She has tried to get evidence from the federal police. The evidence trail has been erased. Erased because it gets erased routinely, in some cases. But erased none-the-less.
Because of that she may loose her freedom forever. This is insanity.
Please - don’t observe from the sidelines.
Please - help Free Schapelle.
It is a very sad case that this young women now finds herself in , and my heart goes out to her and her family ;
all I can suggest now is that ALL AUSTRALIANS boycot Bali and not go there at all .
yes why go to bali? i never liked the Indonesian’s the way treated the East Timorese why give them our tourist dollar when a case of bad luck will have them shoot you?
Theres something wrong here, especially with our government.
hi im jennifer, and this is bloody terrible!
its rediculous how they find her guilty.
a person who is smuggling drugs, isnt stupid enough to leave the bag alone, then open it infront of people. that is crazy, nobody would just open there bag unless they had something to hide, and obviusly shapelle didnt have anything to hide, so she just opened it.
a life sentence for someone who seems to obviusly come across innocent. i understand that people may believe she is guilty and so may the dury. but the fact is there is NO way to prove she is innocent, especially when corby requested the tapes from the airports, and one of the airports, threw them away even after they were requested.
it is extremaly tragic what has happened. you would expect to go on a vacacion to relax not to wind up in jail.
it is so stupid how people in bali could just say that they believe she should be sentenced to life.
this is so sad, and i just wanted to say that my heart goes out to her family and friends, and most of all to schapelle. i really feel for her, and i had tears coming down my face this morning when i found out people are saying to send her to jail for life. she is 27 years old, and there goes her whole life just because other people were traffiving and now she has to face the air because of them. i say those people should rott in hell. she should be free, she should be let out.
schapelle is not a stupid girl, she must be going crazy, feeling as though her life is over. and it seems to be, but i hope that god just gives her strength to get past this, even though the consequences will face her every single day.
i am praying for her well being everyday, and i hope that this just teaches everyone a lesson. DO NOT EVER THINK OR GO TO BALI EVER!
“…trafficking drugs into Bali is something that happens quite often”
Does that include marihuana Nick? I would also be interested to know if marihuana is dearer or cheaper in Bali than in Australia. I assumed much cheaper, but if drug laws are so strict there it may well be dearer. This was the view of Australian ABC journalist in Bali on Radio National last week.
Regardless of prices the likelihood of Corby being guilty of importing marihuana into Bali is about 1%, in my opinion. Unortunately the likelihood of her being convicted is more than 75%, given the assumption-of-guilt legal system in Indonesia. The whole case is a bad joke which would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.
It’s all about minor officials (cops, customs officials at airports) looking to demonstrate to their superiors their effectiveness. Their pawing all over the evidence (and destroying fingerprint evidence, or lack of) is a more accurate indicator of their competence.
It is obvious to everyone outside Indonesian officials that she is innocent. When are the Asian countries going to catch up. It’s funny how Asian countries adapt to the rest of the world when they are in trouble, but when push comes to shove, they are still a bunch of selfish bottom feeders that cannot adapt to globalization. After a tidal wave demolished many parts of this island, most of which was built with foreign money, the world came to the rescue. USA, Canada, Australia, Britian, etc., those are the countries that played “paramedic” on Asian soil, recessitating the economy and re-building efforts. Now, how much money came from China, Japan, Tiawan, Korea, etc., and if money was donated, it was only after the pressure from the main power countries. Anyways, now you have a person that would have been innocent in every area outside Asia, but is being prosecuted for her life by some stupid fuck. When is the world going stand up and say, “catch up or piss off and shut the fuck up.” President Bush needs to play a role in this, he has in every other world crisis in the last 4 years, mainly because he’s got the BALLS!!
Canadians want Schpelle free!!!
I do not know if she is guilty or innocent.
Tend to think the latter but mostly because of what I have read and if what I have read, re street value of drugs there as opposed to here and a few other things then logic indicates that she is innocent.
The other thing that makes her looks innocent is the way that the Indonesian authorities seem to enjoy an Australian in dire predicament.
What I do feel strongly about is that the Indonesians seem to live being able to grab an auzzie to persecute (or perhps it is the media beatup that seemns to make it appear so)
The Gun Smuggler - think he had 4-6 guns on him -rich man, why would he bother.
Cannot imagine any gunnrunner having a grand total of 4-6 guns for his business stock - ??????
Then the Aust journalists shot decades ago. No resolution there.
And the Aust drug smugglers - some of whom have been executed under the Indonesion laws.
So how can the Indonesian Bali bombers who murdered approx 200 (nearly 1/2 of them Auzzies), get away free or with a couple of years jail and we are told may well be released upon appeal.
There is certainly a disquieting picture emerging in my mind.
After the Bali bombing, did our Red Cross put $s to Bali hospitals, etc instead of it all being applied to the Auzzie victims as claimed when they were collecting. Yes
The Aceh appeal resulted in a donation response from this country equal to or more than anywhere else in the world, particularly Moslem areas.
Have you noticed that often when you help people, they absolutely hate you, usually beneath the surface.
Is this the problem with Indonesia and Australia.
Or it is contempt for us over the Timorese affair, but I would venture that their attitudue towards us was evident long before that.
I think that those reflections are what cause me to doubt anything their customs people and their courts say or do.
Australia and its people have bent over backwards to accomodate the Indonesians. When are we going to stop travelling there and enriching to some extent their economy when they have pretty well shown nothing but contempt for Australia and Australians.
I know that there are many christians and other religions in that part of the world, but I have no doubt that collectively, Muslims would rather die by another Muslims hand than be saved by a non-moslem, especially any westener.
It is time we stopped bending over backwards and looked realistically at their attitude towards us.
Maybe she is guilty?????
Who knows the truth except Schapelle??
She was found with drugs in her bag….simple as that when you are in Indonesia.
Sorry to sound so harsh, but thats the facts!
I have always thought that I would hate to have anything serious happen to me in Bali, cause you would be stuffed!!!!!!!
Many interesting comments. Have we all forgotten the measely 18 months that Abu Bakar Bashir received for ordering the Bali Bombings resulting in the deaths of innocent travellers.
Since when has murder been a more lenient sentence than mere possession of narcotics?.
According to her testimony she does not take drugs, she has taken blood test and urine tests to proove that she is not a user of drugs. i can honestly say that the whole Corby incident has made Bali seem like worst place on earth visit. I hope that who ever done this to Schapelle gets what they deserve. I honestly hope that now the case has become such a high profile meida fest that the Indonesian goverment do not use her for an example to the rest of the world. I can’t beleive the stupididty of the other 9 Australians who got caught with all the heroin, and even if they were blackmailed in to it. It is of my understanding that they were all involved in dodgy business in Australia, and for them to be even involved with such people who would blackmail them, surely indicates their character in comparsion to Schapples surely the Judges would take that in to account. FREE HER!!
Words cannot describe my digust to the legal system in Bali & how Schapelle has been treated. It is clear to anyone with a brain that she is NOT guilty to the crime she is being accused off.But remember with a counry full of crime with drugs,prostitution,child prostitution etc etc I know who the guilty ones are.My thoughts are with Schapelle & family & she will be home soon,in the mean time boycot all aid to that corupt government.
Words cannot describe my digust to the legal system in Bali & how Schapelle has been treated. It is clear to anyone with a brain that she is NOT guilty to the crime she is being accused off.But remember with a counry full of crime with drugs,prostitution,child prostitution etc etc I know who the guilty ones are.My thoughts are with Schapelle & family & she will be home soon,in the mean time boycot all aid to that corupt government.
Words cannot describe my digust to the legal system in Bali & how Schapelle has been treated. It is clear to anyone with a brain that she is NOT guilty to the crime she is being accused off.But remember with a counry full of crime with drugs,prostitution,child prostitution etc etc I know who the guilty ones are.My thoughts are with Schapelle & family & she will be home soon,in the mean time boycot all aid to that corupt government.
Words cannot describe my digust to the legal system in Bali & how Schapelle has been treated. It is clear to anyone with a brain that she is NOT guilty to the crime she is being accused off.But remember with a counry full of crime with drugs,prostitution,child prostitution etc etc I know who the guilty ones are.My thoughts are with Schapelle & family & she will be home soon,in the mean time boycot all aid to that corupt government.
Who would want to holiday in Bali
Not me or any of the hundreds that visit my site each day. Just give me one good reason to visit and I’ll give you one very good reason why not. Bali justice is not about the prosecutor proving you are guilty but about the accused proving their innocence. When the law makers in Indonesia learn where the rest of the western world stands on ‘innocent until proven guilty’, I may change my mind. But until then I’ll be telling everyone Stay away from Bali
Schapelle has done nothing wrong…..???
EVERYONE IN AUSTRALIA SHOULD NOT!!!!!!!!!!
GO ANYWHERE NEAR *BALI*…..!!!
“BOYCOT”…….. *Bali*
**Stay away from Bali***…..
…….*U*.”COULD B THE NEXT one on
*Bali Death ROW*!!!…
iff U don’t have the $$$ 2 pay them off, just like Schapelle doesn’t have?
DO *U* HAVE THE $ 2 paY THEM?????
Even iff “u” wanted 2 go….B PREPAIRED 2 B THE NEXT *VICTIM*.
..iFF by some chance ..Schapelle.. *is* convicted of being a drug trafficer *IN* BALI*
I WILL Cry my eyes out,& i WILL WALK THE STREETS CRYING …
*Schapelle *IS INOCENT*
“LET HER COME HOME”…….!!,
Please,!!!!!?????
Please………….
She has done nothing wrong, Just a victim of a bungled up job gone wrong in Sydney or Qld/Gold Coast???
*She is Really inocent*,
please let her come home to her family………..
Please, she really is inocent She *is* A victim of sercom stance………..
i believe *The Bali 9* r Guilty,
but *NOT Schapelle*…………..
PLZ let her come home………………..
She HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG…..*apart from being alive and travelling 2 Bali 2 see her sister*………..
Amanda Jane Kew…………………
I cannot wait to get back to Bali personally, see my family & have a holiday, with people of whom I love!
All those emotional responses!
I was just wondering …
They say she is a beauty-student from the gold-coast, yes/no?
Students are usually struggling to make ends meet… ???
She has been to Bali many times… how many?
Her sister uses to live there… how long?
What did her sister do there… to pay for that life-style?
Why would a baggage-handler entrust $35,000 (cost price of goods) to an unknown carrier?
Why would a benefactor from the gold-coast be so interested in someone he allegedly doesn’t know?
Who is this Sri Lankan advisor to Schapelle who is a resident of Bali?
What is the Byron Bay connection all about?
just curious, not blinded by emotion
I agree with Bazza. I listened to Justin Hale reporter and he has been there since day 1. He reported she is not the sweet, innocent girl she portrays. A lot has come out in the court case(just what I would love to know).
So this has now put me in two minds. We are not getting the full picture here in Australia.
Millions of people like to smoke.
They want to put her in a small cage for life or shoot her.
Law or not, it is WRONG.
Under Indo law she has to prove how the drugs got there and prove that she was not involved so looks like she will be going down the gurgler..
Is a shame but this kind of nonsense happens all the time all over the world. Hearst did a good job on demonising dope. The harm it causes is only these barbaric sentences that Asia is particularly fond of. China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indo they all deal with the issue harshly. Until they change policy just abstain in these areas or stay at home.
I know a lot of people whom have been to bali and love the place, but they will not be returning, the last friend that went was only a couple of months ago, when a local approched them trying to sell drugs, noticing a police officer only a few meters away, when his sale failed the dealer and the officer moved on, my friend was in no doubt he was being set up, this country has no compasion for westeners, they want our money and our lives, Bali Bombing is just one case where the guilty go free, and no doubt are worshiped as hero’s, if our Government sits back and dose nothing about Schapelle Corby then they not only fail this young woman but they fail all of us, who will be the next victim, and the next, as Australians we should stand united over this Schapelle Corby case, because if we let an innocent fall then we all fall.
Wow..Bazza 28/4 and Dot29/4..Your comments are really mind-boggling - Do you think the world is flat too!!
Firstly, I don’t know where u both live but in Aust. a beauty student course does not cost the earth - so maybe (just maybe!) shapelle has paid for it herself. Maybe her mother who lives & works here on the Gold Coast paid for it for her daughter?? I think your suggestion of the struggling student is total crap…the girl has family here and it just doesn’t wash!!!
As for her sister,Mercedes - she is married to a Balinese man, wayan and they have a surf shop in Bali - so good chance that has financed the lifestyle…
The baggage handler —(doh!) It was put in Schapelles bag in Brisbane by a baggage handler - he obviously has an accomplice in Sydney who is also a baggage handler and he is supposed to grab the dope out of the bag BEFORE the bag goes on to Bali…But he obviously missed the bag. Don’t you think it adds weight to this theory that Schapelles bag was yellow - sort of an obvious stand out colour!!!????
There has been people come forward saying that this is a common method using baggage handlers to get dope around aUST. So to ask “Why would a baggage handler entrust $35,000 to an unknown person?” - simply stuns me by its sheer stupidity and ignorance. Yet you two still persist with this line of “questioning” by further asking about the Sri Lankan businesman, Ron Bakir,who has taken an interest in her plight, and financed legal counsel on her behalf. They did not know each other - Ron had a call from one of his staff about this case and when he read about it and saw Schapelles picture- he said he saw his own sister ( who is about same age) and thought it could happen to anyone and he wanted to help.
Bryon Bay?? I haved NO idea where that is coming from..probably same place as all your other pathetic narrow minded crap.
I have been to Bali some 9 times, my first visit being in the late 70’s and yes you would get offered grass then. Few years later, it became a lucruative thing for police informers to set you up - they would sell you dried banana skin and then dob to police who would swap stuff & you are a goner. Cops give real dope back to informer, they re-sell it- switch it at last minute & another one bites the dust. Magic mushrooms were also very big back then but I see over the years they are far less prominent.
So Dot & Bazza…Wise saying “Better to be thought an idiot than opening your mouth and confirming it”
J. Butt - your comment very interesting and I agree with you totally . Although I have to say I have usually found Balinese people to be exceptional, and the trouble-makers are said to be Javanese..? But things are fast getting beyond that level of hair-splitting. I am sorry to see how the Balinese people have suffered, but I think Australians have to really put sentiment aside and stand together firmly on the Schapelle Corby case. Surely we have proven our worth as a good neighbour, we have given in their hour of need (more per capita than any other Western Country too I might add), we have swallowed the lenient sentence handed down to the murderous planners of the Bali Bombing..It doesn’t help that those other 9 idiots are arrested for obvious smuggling. Nor is Mr. Howard helping much by refusing to sign ASDEAN treaty & having his head firmly embedded in George Bush’s arse!
J. Butt - your comment very interesting and I agree with you totally . Although I have to say I have usually found Balinese people to be exceptional, and the trouble-makers are said to be Javanese..? But things are fast getting beyond that level of hair-splitting. I am sorry to see how the Balinese people have suffered, but I think Australians have to really put sentiment aside and stand together firmly on the Schapelle Corby case. Surely we have proven our worth as a good neighbour, we have given in their hour of need (more per capita than any other Western Country too I might add), we have swallowed the lenient sentence handed down to the murderous planners of the Bali Bombing..It doesn’t help that those other 9 idiots are arrested for obvious smuggling. Nor is Mr. Howard helping much by refusing to sign ASEAN treaty & having his head firmly embedded in George Bush’s arse!
Found your comments interesting Robitz, but like I said about the others : emotional … not reasoned … maybe the magic mushrooms have affected your judgment.
I wasn’t suggesting that the money for the beauty course came from left-field, rather that a student doesn’t usually have the sort of income to take-off on foreign holidays. Would probably need another source of income for that.
So you’re from the Gold Coast too. Interesting!
Still you could be right … maybe her mother is making the sort of money from her fish-n-chips shop that she can afford to shout her daughter an overseas trip… and the other assorted family members too.
So her sister Mercedes is married to a Balinese … thanks for that info … and we all know how rich the Balinese are, still a little extra income wouldn’t hurt, eh!
You seem to have convinced yourself that the drugs were intended for Sydney … the baggage-handler conspiracy theory. Why do you ignore the fact that the drugs were intercepted in Bali, in Schapelle’s possession, and therefore were most likely
• intended for that market
• placed in her bag by Schapelle herself
Interesting you insist that Ron Bakir is a knight in shining armor, coming to the rescue of the damsel in distress, money no object! Like the “Gold Coast Businessman”, and the “close friend” from Byron Bay. What about Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny.
Robitz … Seems you can’t see the fire for the smoke. Give it up!
This case only makes me never never never wanting to go to Bali. What they are doing to that girl is appalling and disgusting. No one should be sentenced to death or jail for life just for drugs !!!!!!!!!!!! I believe she is truthful—- shame on Bali for what they are doing to her.
Schapelle……?
Schapelle who?…..
Innocent or Guilty
I suppose one has to take into account that if Schapelle is guilty of taking drugs into Bali she in no way would have stood at customs and said:
“Hey put that shit back you bastards! That’s mine,” certainly not, especially with a death sentence hanging over her head.
Whether you are guilty or not you are not going to own up to it. It wouldn’t matter what country you were in.
There was one rumour (note I said rumour) that she had been to Bali “20 something times in the last year” and she is supposed to be unemployed again another “gum flaping” rumour most probably started by the “Guilty as Hell Party”.
I’m certain of one thing though and that’s we are only getting one side of the story in our media.
Personally I hope she is innocent and walks away free.
I think in Australia we are not used to the severity of the sentence for drug possesion and trafficking in other countries.
Why in Aussieland if your caught with dope the Arresting Officer takes half of your stash and lets you keep the other half and gives you a bit of a warning over a few friendly bongs.
It may turn out that the Australian Federal Police were watching Sydney Airport for 10kg of cocaine the same day as Schapelle Corby went though, and it would be a very good reason why it would have been left in the bag.
It is patently ridiculous to comment on whether schapelle is as sweet and innocent as she comes across, whether or not shes a nice girl has absolutely no bearing on her guilt or innocence. Also the fact that only a complete retard would take drugs *into* bali and have their initial outlay halved carries a lot of weight. The only reason that the AFP refuse to admit there could possibly be any sort of security problem in our airports is because of the stark terror created by all our western governments after the events of Sept 11.
However it will not stop me and my mates from hollidaying in Bali. We are going in Sept, just because the government is corrupt it doesnt mean the Indonesian people should have to suffer. They need our support. We will just take better precautions this time.
Further more even if she is ‘guilty’ does she really deserve death penalty?? or life sentence?? Think about it!
We cannot imagine the hell that poor girl must be in and her family and friends for that matter.
After watching the 60 mins interview and tonights expose on the Schapelle there are a couple of facts that need straightening out.
1.Gazza: Schapelle has been to Bali twice since 2000.
2. Robitz: Mercedes and her husband both live and work on the Gold Coast and not in Bali.
3. Bazza: (Hey where’s Shazza) Ron Bakir (Interviewed this evening) perceives that there is an injustice and has said that this was brough to his attention by his PA.
Anyway one interesting story that did come out tonight was from another couple who found a package of compressed hooch in their bags once they got their hotel in 1998. They called the Australian consulate (The consulate has confirmed the call and the advice they gave) who advised them to flush it down the toilet and to not tell the Indonesian authorities.
It appears on the balance of probabilities that there is reasonable doubt which in an Australian court would be enough to aquit however I do not believe that this will be the case in Bali. However it must be noted that the Indonesian statutes do recognise innocence until proven guilty as the basis of Law not as some (out of ignorance) would tell us guilty until proven innocent. As in any justice system once a prosecutor can make a prima faci case the preponderance of evidence to challenge the prosecutors theories does shift towards the defendant. Anyway even if Schapelle is found guilty there are another 2 layers of courts that will hear an appeal. While the local court probably has no interest in no finger prints evidence, video evidence, balance of probabilities as well as the arrestsof the baggage handlers in Sydney (Coke smuggling), the higher Indonesian courts will take more interest as these ommissions will be seen as error at trial and will be given more weight during the appeals process. The Indonesian justice system is a variation of the French and Dutch system where a judge hears the case with no Jury, the only difference being that in Indonesia there are three judges.
Personally I don’t believe she is guilty beyond reasonable doubt and if tried here would likely be aquitted.
After watching the 60 mins interview and tonights expose (channel 9)on Schapelle there are a couple of facts that need straightening out.
1.Gazza: Schapelle has been to Bali twice since 2000.
2. Robitz: Mercedes and her husband both live and work on the Gold Coast and not in Bali.
3. Bazza: (Hey where’s Shazza) Ron Bakir (Interviewed this evening) perceives that there is an injustice and has said that this was brough to his attention by his PA.
Anyway one interesting story that did come out tonight was from another couple who found a package of compressed hooch in their bags once they got their hotel in 1998. They called the Australian consulate (The consulate has confirmed the call and the advice they gave) who advised them to flush it down the toilet and to not tell the Indonesian authorities.
It appears on the balance of probabilities that there is reasonable doubt which in an Australian court would be enough to aquit however I do not believe that this will be the case in Bali. However it must be noted that the Indonesian statutes do recognise innocence until proven guilty as the basis of Law not as some (out of ignorance) would tell us guilty until proven innocent. As in any justice system once a prosecutor can make a prima faci case the preponderance of evidence to challenge the prosecutors theories does shift towards the defendant. Anyway even if Schapelle is found guilty there are another 2 layers of courts that will hear an appeal. While the local court probably has no interest in no finger prints evidence, video evidence, balance of probabilities as well as the arrestsof the baggage handlers in Sydney (Coke smuggling), the higher Indonesian courts will take more interest as these ommissions will be seen as error at trial and will be given more weight during the appeals process. The Indonesian justice system is a variation of the French and Dutch system where a judge hears the case with no Jury, the only difference being that in Indonesia there are three judges.
Personally I don’t believe she is guilty beyond reasonable doubt and if tried here would likely be aquitted.
Channel Nine’s less than stellar reputation for any journalism not involving a chequebook was well demonstrated in that 60 minutes of tripe the other night.
Unfortunately the promo was entirely misleading because the show seemed curiously devoid of a making a case for or against anything in particular.
Nine also went to great lengths to exclude relevant facts and muddy the waters with it’s “Today Tonight” style emotional drivel. It could be said that the hour of TV in question was 98% fact free.
Beware the Channel 9 “Fact” they are almost as bad as Fox these days.
On the Schapelle subject people keep moaning about her having to prove her innocence and her being guilty until proven otherwise. This isn’t the case.
The reason this has progressed so far is that there is a big legal question that remains unanswered py precedent in indo law ie does no knowledge of the drugs mitigate posession? Until this is resolved she is guilty because she had posession. Yes it seems stupid to us but posessions to them is the crime regardless of her knowing about the drugs.
Look under topic “Why did Hinch bag Corby” (Hinch is a well known Australian media personality)
The truth of the matter is, The Indonesian government have our government by the short and curleys and our government deserve all they get. It’s Corby verses Qantas, of which donates generously to our current Liberal government.
The only bad media Corby is receiving over here is by media giants sponsored by Qantas, ask yourselves why did our government wait so long to tell the Indonesian government that 25 Qantas baggage handlers were nabbed at the same Australian airport, on the same day Corby was nabbed in Indonesia for attempting to smuggle cocaine?
You need to read articles from the following link.
Regards,
That Channel Nine shamozzle about Schappelle Corby was a waste of prime time television.
It supposed to have been a case for and against.
Somehow they missed the against!
The so called expert on body language needs a refresher course at the local Tafe. Didn’t he notice Schapelle looked at the floor every time drugs was mentioned.
Another point is the tears. If it was me being held in jail when I was innocent I’d be downright pissed off. I’d be mad as hell for being wrongly accused, wouldn’t you?
Another point I’d like to make is not everyone who has 4kg or more of dope wants to sell it.
I’ve known people who have kept that much dope to themselves sharing it only with their friends and not selling any of it.
These people grow it to smoke it, not promote it.
And, if I paid $60,000 odd for dope, I think I’d go and pick it up personally, not take a gamble on whether it gets to me via plane. I mean, what happened to the humble car, that holiday to Queensland etc.
There is a possibility that this dope could have been home grown by the Corby family or by a close friend of the family.
Maybe a family member stuck it in her body board bag as a big surprise for her and her sister when she arrived in Bali.
She certainly got the big surprise all right!
But I must state that the above is only speculative but nevertheless another avenue to consider.
That Channel Nine shamozzle about Schapelle Corby was a waste of prime time television.
It supposed to have been a case for and against.
Somehow they missed the against!
The so called expert on body language needs a refresher course at the local Taff. Didn’t he notice Schapelle looked at the floor every time drugs was mentioned.
Another point is the tears. If it was me being held in jail when I was innocent I’d be downright pissed off. I’d be mad as hell for being wrongly accused, wouldn’t you?
Another point I’d like to make is not everyone who has 4kg of dope wants to sell it.
I’ve known people who have kept that much dope to themselves sharing it only with their friends and not selling any of it.
These people grow it to smoke it, not promote it.
And, if I paid $60,000 something for it, I think I’d go and pick it up personally, not take a hit and miss delivery via plane.
There is a possibility that this dope could have been home grown by the Corby family or by a close friend of the family.
Maybe a family member stuck it in her body board bag as a big surprise for her and her sister when she arrived in Bali.
Well she certainly got the big surprise all right!
But I must state that the above is only speculative but nevertheless another way to look at this case.
You call this a case…hmmm, DON’T THINK SO. Who shot President Kennedy is a CASE.
Schapelle Corby is the innocent by-stander of another govts. tyrant venue to prove to the “rest of the world” that this “little shit pot of a Country” won’t tolerate drugs.
Prison is for “BAD PEOPLE”, rapist, killers, repeat offenders, etc. NOT Beauty School STUDENTS. I don’t give a DAM about weed, but I do give a DAM about this young lady and the rest of her existence.
I realize that smuggling weed is a crime, crimes are punishable, but give me a break…Bali, Indonesia, you’re wasting my time, and the rest of the worlds. So what…throw Schapelle behind bars for life, depriving her of a complete, productive, contribution to the global world…OH, and depriving her of her family, motherhood etc.
This is not alright people, forget the case, and look at what we have…a faceless young lady, sister, daughter going to prison possibly for the rest of her life. We all know that you don’t emerge from prison as a little butterfly, so what in THE HELL or you all thinking?
There are other options, years of community service, helping needy children…giving back to the world community, NOT ENDING A LIFE! We are not helping her, we are only becoming our worst nightmare. Sometimes justice and HELP are directly related, Schapelle needs our help, not LIFE BEHIND BARS!
As a USA MARINE and father of four girls, this is about a punishment consistent with that of Schapelle’s background and PERSON, not about proving a point. To Indonesia- tread the waters lightly, we’re watching!
Typical Yanky response.
“We’re watching You” well big bloody deal!
You lot are as hell bent on ruling the world as Hitler was.
And what pray tell makes you think you’ve got it right?
The fact is Indonesia has its own legal system. But hey, America doesn’t like it. So … lets go in and blow the shitter out of ‘em, the inhumane bastards and we’ll call it liberation.
Lets make the world one big McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet.
There’s an old saying by Jesus himself: “Take the log out of your own eye before trying to get the spec out of your brothers!
Any idiot can see the punishment doesn’t fit the crime in Schapelle’s situation.
But we are not Indonesian’s, who by the way, have a right to have their own laws.
Nobody wants to see Schapelle rot away in a Bali prison for the rest of her life. Not when we’ve got better things to do like watch the good old USA stuff up Iraq, and then who knows maybe North Korea, then why not Indonesia while you’re at it.
Why don’t you just blow the shitter out of all the Muslim countries then those other countries that don’t agree with you.
Haven’t you noticed that America’s allies are dwindling.
Yep, but we better all be careful, ’cause big brother is watching us.
Baz, I agree that asking questions without emotion is a good approach. If she is innocent, questions can be answered. The hallmark of a weak argument is an angry emotional response to a probing question. Here are some more questions:
1. On the domestic baggage handler theory: Why would you put a bag of pot through a risky international Airport security regime when you can safely drive a whole combi van full of pot from Brisbane to Sydney in about 16 hours?
2. On the “coal to Newcastle theory”: Poor quality pot is cheap in Bali but how much is good quality hydrponic pot and how hard is it to get in the expat community of Aussies in Bali?
3. If the case against Schappelle Corby is so obviously flawed that so called “ordinary Aussies” are getting hysterical about it, why are the Australian police (including a pretty smart bloke like Keelty) saying so little? Is it because they know something that we don’t.
To whoever asked why a drug trafficker would entrust 35000 bucks worth of weed to an unknown carrier, the idea is that the baggage handler’s friend at the other terminal picks it up. But in this case it backfired because her bag was checked before the guy had a chance to get to it
if shes guilty shes guilty, if shes not guilty she still is guilty catch 22 really she has no hope the poor thing
if shes guilty shes guilty, if shes not guilty she still is guilty catch 22 really she has no hope the poor thing
if shes guilty shes guilty, if shes not guilty she still is guilty catch 22 really she has no hope the poor thing
Just saw the news on Prime 9 in NZ live.
20 years man (the maximum time), that is harsh.
Indonesian authorities have found her guilty of possesion, irrespective of whether she had knowledge or not.
Understandably it is Indonesian law, (if you break their law you should be trialed under their rules) and possesion itself is a crime.
But I think that this is not justice and that the law system there is corrupt and screwed up, especially considering the Bali Bombings, 18 months sentencing for murdering a group of people as opposed to 20 years max or a death sentence for possession/trafficking drugs. Comon?!!! That doesn’t make sense.
Until this law changes to something more sensible an ppl retrialed any though of visiting Bali and supporting the indonesian economy are out the window now.
To all,
I too have just received the word on Miss Corbi’s verdict,
and must say that I am shocked. As I believe many of you are as well.
My thoughts on the case are that it should be possible to prove
her innocence. Evidence can never be completely destroyed, and the
destruction of evidence will only lead to further evidence, for example:
there may be no camera footage at the baggage cartel, or of the search.
But think… If there was supposed to be a pickup, then there must be
1) some communication
2) a search attempt after unloading, the culprit must have left their
post at the airport.
Also consider forensic evidence… If the trafficking theory holds, then
there will be the DNA and fingerprints of an Australian handler
(third party). So the forensic evidence should show three things:
1) The hapless Miss Corbi (from the terminal incident)
2) The stupid Indonesian guards (from the terminal incident)
3) The auzzie end handler
But another theory is the “plane old simple frame an Auzzie”. The
handlers WANTED the drugs to be found so they took care to make sure
they were clean of forensics. But this creates a problem… The stuff
must have been put in the luggage “in-situ”, so if the culprit was
“forensic conscious” then they would have been wearing gloves - carrying
special containers, etc. The planter would risk contamination as they
placed it in the luggage, but someone might notice a handler wearing
rubber gloves in the back room… perhaps even a security camera?
I think that the bali handlers got around this problem by creating an
alibi for their forensic contamination, thus the deliberate handling of
evidence… Just remember that for every piece of evidence that is
destroyed, another is created (phone calls, abnormal behaviour, supply
of gear, planning meetings, mistakes, too much cover-up)
If this version holds true then the ‘planter’ in the back room must have
also been at the terminal, (is it usual for someone to move about like
this in an airport?) he must have been caught on camera somewhere.
I think that the organised cover-up reeks, and closer examination of
the whereabouts of each guard should reveal something. To cover this
up would require organisation, it’s unlikely that they would rely on
prejudice or self interest of others.
Another thing… What was the relative humidity of the air in the bag??
was it OZ-gear or BALI-gear, can the batch or kitchen be matched with
anything else on the market? where did the “glad-wrap” come from?
Hmmm… was Schapelle’s or the handler’s DNA or fingerprints found on
the sub-layers of wrap, or just the surface?
–
I’ll conclude by saying that Schapelle will receive justice, but not
necessarily during this life; that God will undo the wrongs of this
evil world, because he has the power to restore life. He is the only
true liberator.
As for “Captain America” (24 May), this case is more significant than
the Kennedy case, because it is about justice. We believe that justice
is something that everyone is entitled to, not just the few who can pay
for it!
-Have a Nice Day.
As for “boycott Bali”, there’s no need. They’ve already done that!
To all,
I too have just received the word on Miss Corbi’s verdict,
and must say that I am shocked. As I believe many of you are as well.
My thoughts on the case are that it should be possible to prove
her innocence. Evidence can never be completely destroyed, and the
destruction of evidence will only lead to further evidence, for example:
there may be no camera footage at the baggage cartel, or of the search.
But think… If there was supposed to be a pickup, then there must be
1) some communication
2) a search attempt after unloading, the culprit must have left their
post at the airport.
Also consider forensic evidence… If the trafficking theory holds, then
there will be the DNA and fingerprints of an Australian handler
(third party). So the forensic evidence should show three things:
1) The hapless Miss Corbi (from the terminal incident)
2) The stupid Indonesian guards (from the terminal incident)
3) The auzzie end handler
But another theory is the “plane old simple frame an Auzzie”. The
handlers WANTED the drugs to be found so they took care to make sure
they were clean of forensics. But this creates a problem… The stuff
must have been put in the luggage “in-situ”, so if the culprit was
“forensic conscious” then they would have been wearing gloves - carrying
special containers, etc. The planter would risk contamination as they
placed it in the luggage, but someone might notice a handler wearing
rubber gloves in the back room… perhaps even a security camera?
I think that the bali handlers got around this problem by creating an
alibi for their forensic contamination, thus the deliberate handling of
evidence… Just remember that for every piece of evidence that is
destroyed, another is created (phone calls, abnormal behaviour, supply
of gear, planning meetings, mistakes, too much cover-up)
If this version holds true then the ‘planter’ in the back room must have
also been at the terminal, (is it usual for someone to move about like
this in an airport?) he must have been caught on camera somewhere.
I think that the organised cover-up reeks, and closer examination of
the whereabouts of each guard should reveal something. To cover this
up would require organisation, it’s unlikely that they would rely on
prejudice or self interest of others.
Another thing… What was the relative humidity of the air in the bag??
was it OZ-gear or BALI-gear, can the batch or kitchen be matched with
anything else on the market? where did the “glad-wrap” come from?
Hmmm… was Schapelle’s or the handler’s DNA or fingerprints found on
the sub-layers of wrap, or just the surface?
–
I’ll conclude by saying that Schapelle will receive justice, but not
necessarily during this life; that God will undo the wrongs of this
evil world, because he has the power to restore life. He is the only
true liberator.
As for “Captain America” (24 May), this case is more significant than
the Kennedy case, because it is about justice. We believe that justice
is something that everyone is entitled to, not just the few who can pay
for it!
-Have a Nice Day.
As for “boycott Bali”, there’s no need. They’ve already done that!
We know you are inocent the Australian people are behind you!! schpelle be strong.This episode will also make me think long and hard about ever going to Bali on a holiday — for two reasons: in protest, and because I have no confidence that I would be protected from the same thing happening to me.
Davo!!
We know you are inocent the Australian people are behind you!! schpelle be strong.This episode will also make me think long and hard about ever going to Bali on a holiday — for two reasons: in protest, and because I have no confidence that I would be protected from the same thing happening to me.
Davo!!
We know you are inocent the Australian people are behind you!! schpelle be strong.This episode will also make me think long and hard about ever going to Bali on a holiday — for two reasons: in protest, and because I have no confidence that I would be protected from the same thing happening to me.
Davo!!
Today’s verdict in the Schapelle case should be seen as an insult
directed at all Australians! No clear thinking Australian would ever
dream of smuggling drugs from Australia into Bali to MAKE A FORTUNE!
Only certain Indonesian judges, for motives best known to themselves,
believe that the average Australian would be stupid enough to concoct
such a scheme. !! BOYCOTT ALL TRAVEL AGENCIES that don’t BOYCOTT BALI !!
Think of it the other way: What if it was an Indonesian woman, coming into Sydney with drugs in her bag. Would you accept an explanation that the baggage handlers put it in?
Why would a drug smuggler put over 4kg of marihuana (street value in Bali probably around $80.000?) in her surfbag and then not pick it up on the other side in Bali??? that does not make any sense right??? If I would be a drug smuggler you would know that the bag would never go through customs…
Why would a drug smuggler put over 4kg of marihuana (street value in Bali probably around $80.000?) in her surfbag and then not pick it up on the other side in Bali??? that does not make any sense right??? If I would be a drug smuggler you would know that the bag would never go through customs…
I must admit I was disturbed by the fact that the camera hardly left Schapelle’s face for 2 1/2 hrs of television.
Watching her struggle with all those emotions.
It’s hard to believe . . . 20 yrs and then they had the hide to fine her as well.
Now the prosecution has appealed because of the lenency of the sentence and Shapelle’s lawyers have appealed due to the severity of the sentence.
Meanwhile that Bali wanker who murdered (not killed) murdered all those people in the Bali bombing is running around whistling dixie.
Allahu Akbah you little slimey prick!
One thing that I’m a bit confused over and hopefully someone may help me with is this . . . the Forensic Evidence.
I know they said there was no trace of dope (the evil weed) in her blood or urine but I’m sure they said they found flower buds of dope on her clothing.
Does someone know for sure what was said about this?
Another point is that the Judges apparently convicted her because she wouldn’t point the finger at someone else, (her companions that is).
In other words they believed one of them, Schapelle or her friends were definitely guilty of smuggling the drugs.
Some people believe she has taken the rap for her brother.
This poor sod is in for a hell of a ride in the media now. I mean if Schapelle’s innocent, someones guilty, and it might as well be her brother!
It’s a bloody joke! The media that is.
Tll this day schpelle is inncocent. I could not beleive she was sentenced for 21 years plus a $14,000 fine. The bali murderer akbal got of scott free, but yet ther judges wont’ consider looking in to the hard core evidence of no finger prints match up, no drug history getting
21 years is unthinkably stupid.
There goes her life she cant marry start a family have children. Were did all our morals go? This is unhuman!!!
she gets 20 yrs and i feel is innocent… the bali bomber kills many and gets 2 years… thats WRONG!!!
Bloody disgusting, I can’t believe that the Bali bomber only got 18 months, should have cut his rocks off and chucked him in the ocean.
By the way did Shapelle take a lie detector?
Like millions of other people, i too watched the television broardcast of [the verdict] it was an extremly emotional experience. It took me back to the 20th july 1969, when as a primary school student we were allowed to leave school early in order to watch the [event]—the moon landing live on television. Ifeel the memory of schapelle corby standing in that court room, under those conditions, and with what she had to endure,will stay with me forever, just as the 1969 [event] has. As to her guilt or innocence, i do not know, i do believe however in the possibility of her innocence. My concern is what seems to be the poor standards regarding evidence. Many people have mentioned finger prints, it appears basic forensics were not carried out, what investigations of schapelle corby’s connections in bali, including family, members, friends, and associates, if any, have been conducted? The problem is, that no further evidence was required, The fact that the drug was in her boogie board bag meant whatever that bag contained was hers. The bali police are under no obligation to prove how it got there, nor where it originated from. they were only required to prove possesion, in thier view, the instant schapelle corby addmitted it was her bag, and drugs were found in it she was guilty of possesion. If she is innocent, and her explanation of events are true, the Australian airports, and the lack of security procedures therein are the reason she has become an innocent victim. The police procedures within bali leave a lot to be desired, as does thier entire juditial system. The Australian media has made millions of dollars from schapelle corby’s predicament, we can only hope the publicity it has generated will assist her in some way. I hope the Australian federal police will conduct a full investigation in to airport security regardless of pressure from polititions and companies not to disclose the results. If the boogie board bag had four kilograms of explosive????? I have worked in the security industry,[and i know from personal experience [16 years,] that security is always minimum, and often overlooked completely, It is only ever increased after a situation has occured. This applies to banks, armoured vehicles, shopping centres, fruit and veg markets, and yes even airports. THIS IS FACT. Schapelle corby has made serious allegations regarding Australian airports, the only way to rebuff these allegations is to prove it cannot and didnot happen. each and every worker hwo had acsess to luggage during this period of time should be qoestioned by Australian federal police, yes including security staff. I have been questioned by police on several occassions, as a matter of coarse, in order to elliminate me as a suspect, this also proved i had know prior knowledge of criminal activity that may have taken place. Again, i do hope schapelle corby will be brought back to Australia, away from those conditions, i would not travel to bali, well prior to this situation, the police are corrupt, and even the judge spoke to the media. To the Australian priminister Mr john howard, you sent all Australians the terrorist pamphlet, please save the paper,and instead SECURE OUR AIRPORTS. TO schapelle corby, i sincerely hope you will be brought back to Australia, keep your chin up. To everyone else DO NOT TRAVEL TO BALI AGAIN. Thankyou for opportunity to express myself TCB
Gazza - how can we judge someone on their emotional response? Too many tears? If she’d gone numb and not cried, some people would declare this was a demonstration of her guilt. You say she should be mad, not crying - haven’t you ever been so mad but defeated, and all you can do is cry? She has to face a grim reality every day, there’s no way you could sustain an enraged reaction.
To the person who asked how she could not notice the weight in her bodyboard bag, not only did she have 4 bags, as someone pointed out here, but the handle of her bodyboard bag had broken and she was dragging it.
Another thing - many are saying, in response to the idea that it is ridiculous to smuggle drugs to a country where the drugs lose value, that there is a market among Australians who want to be Aussie pot. Someone stated above who seems to know the case that this case is unprecedented and there have been no prior marijuana smuggling cases from Australia to Indonesia. So if there is such a huge demand for this over there, wouldn’t someone else have been caught before?
Bazza - You are right that people need to apply reason in coming to conclusions about this case. Yes, emotion can be blinding and when it leads to generalised hatred about ‘Asian countries’ and such, it’s problematic. But emotion and reason are not mutually exclusive - you can have a ‘feeling’ about this case and argue your points rationally too, which many people above have done. You are not personally demonstrating an ability to reason neutrally without any bias - some of your points are steeped in a suspiciousness and cynicism that makes your arguments unreasonable. Often, people who argue this point about separating emotion from reason fail to see that their arguments are quite emotive as well, it’s just a different emotion from sentimentality.
I am an everyday Australian (34 yr old Mum of 3)watching Schappelles life through the media. I am interested to know whether or not she was told of her rights prior to her baggage being opened or is customs allowed to search and interigate you without legal representation. I do not know the law but would be interested if anybody else would know of what legal rights Schappelle had at the airport and if the police did not give her that chance. Therefore they the police and customs officers broke any law? Stay strong Schappelle I pray for you and your family and hope you come home to AUSTRALIA soon.
here is the thing i don’t understand, why are some of us so certain she is innocent? people say “From the evidence we’ve seen”, what evidence did you see? the fact that she said “I swear its not mine”? (like any one would admit that bag of drug is theirs!), or people say there are some funky businesses going on in the bagage handlers department?
i would like to think she is innocent, i would like to think that we can live in a world that we don’t have worry about drugs, violence and any other horrible things us humans bring upon another. however, there is no hardcore evidence to prove bagage handler mr or ms X purposely putted this bag of drug in corby’s bag! its just so far a posibility! but not a fact!
The thing that really gets me is, i’ve heard some australians say, that even if she is guilty, she doesn’t deserve it! her mum said after the judgement “I hope the judges would say ‘guilty’ but you’ve done enough time for your crime here and its about time to go home.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?!!! is that all for a convicted drug “import/exporter”? if that bag of drug is hers, and she had every intension to make a profit from it, then i say that 20 years of jail is a little too light compare to life or death!
had said that, i hope she is innocent, i hope that someone will step out and say “hey, i’m the one who put the bag of drug in her bag, and its not her fault” but till that day happens, the evidence is overwhelmingly against her.
some of us say “indonesia court system is so corrupted”, like any of you will actually know! any justice system in the world, and yes including Australia is somewhat injustice! don’t believe it? then how does publicly stabbing and murder a mate gets maxium 5 year counts for justice? drink driving kills teenagers gets only a fine and loose license count for justice? or prehaps gang rape gets maxium 10 years screams justice! let’s face it, in a count room any where in the world, its not about what really happened, its about what you can prove.
like i said, i hope somehow she is innocent, but if she is not, then the judgement is beyond fair and is well deserved. but what really happend to her, we might just never know. and for those who watch a bit of tv and read of a few newspaper then sworn to defend her innocence, get a life!
You think 20 years is too light for marijuana!?! A sentence would be much lighter here, so this is why people think it’s unfair. Many people feel marijuana should be a decriminalised substance anyway, so in the grand scheme of things, yes, they think it’s incredibly unfair a girl loses most of her years over this. The prosecution argued 4000+ people would get ‘hurt’ from the marijuana if it hit the street! Hurt?! Just stoned!! Things like this are why the trial seems so unjust - I mean, that’s just a scientifically invalid argument and shouldn’t be allowed.
And to answer the first part - why do people assume she’s innocent. Well you’ve got some people who don’t know, but feel there is more than reasonable doubt so she doesn’t deserve to be convicted. And then others who feel the evidence that’s emerged (not just her claiming it’s not hers - read about the case more carefully) makes for a strong likelihood that someone planted it. Opinions in the real world, outside a court room, don’t have to be formed by rational deduction and be airtight. People are allowed to just find her believable. Even in a jury situation, this would factor in.
If I were in a situation where I was telling the truth but there was no proof, I’d hope someone would look in my eyes and just know I was telling the truth. So much human interaction depends on this, it is reductive to think our opinions and feelings on things can only be determined by cold, hard fact.
I thought some may be interested in this excerpt from the Sydney Newspaper The Sunday Telegraph, May 29, 2005.
Judge Defends Corby Verdict
The Indonesian Judge who jailed Schapelle Corby for 20 years yesterday likened her defence to “a crying competition” and claimed he slept easily after the decision. (This statement is in relation to Schapelle’s mother yelling out in court that the judges would never sleep again.)
Chief Judge Linton Sirait said his only reaction to the Australian public’s anger at the verdict was to point out that the case had been decided solely according to the law.
“I am responsible to God for my verdict, not to the people,” the devout Christiand said.
further on in the editorial . . .
“The judges took the verdict based on the evidence and facts found in the trial, such as the statements from the witnesses, other evidence and marijuana, the statement from the suspect, the statement from the experts.”
Character references and signed petitions declaring a view that Corby was innocent could not be used and were not used as part of the judges consideration of the verdict, Judge Sirait said.
The collection of signatures cannot be used to decide if somebody is guilty or not guilty.
A personal letter to the defence lawyer or to the judge is a personal letter; it is not evidence.”
further on . . .
Asked if he had any personal feelings towards Corby who had made a series of tearful pleas to the court asserting her innocence and begging the judges to set her free he said: “A judge is not allowed to bring his emotions to the case. The judge decides in accordance with the law.”
“A judges most important characteristic was honesty, Judge Sirait said.
“The judge’s duty is not difficult. The most important thing is that the judge is honest, and has no (conflicting) interest in the case.
“If we have conflict of interest, then it will be difficult.”
Well there you have it “strait from the horses mouth” or as the Sunday Telegraph reported.
This whole Corby thing is definetly designed and executed to make people fight each other, anyone who logically observe the whole thing will definetly know that.
The same goes for the Bali bomb, the Australian Embassy bomb, Timor Leste’s ‘liberation’, Iraq’s ‘liberation’, Indonesia’s ‘liberation’, the Guantanomo Bay incident, and so on.
This sort of thing is capable of making some people fight each other due that some people seems to be ignorant on some things and don’t realize that the people who are currently in controls of the Indonesian government are the same ones who are currently in controls of the Australian government and other ‘official’ governments in the world.
These same people also controls mass media around the world, big tourist companies, big airline companies, human rights organizations, ‘terror’ organisation, anti-’terror’ organisation, drug makers, anti-drugs organizations, and so on.
If you follow ‘their’ words, sure you wouldn’t find any connection between all of ‘their’ ‘proxies’. However if you use your own instinct (and not the instinct ‘they’ installed on you), you will know that all of them obeyed the same master and all of them are just mere ‘proxies’.
Personally, I don’t care on whether Corby is innocent or guilty. That’s none of my business or problem.
It’s her business, it’s her problem, it’s also the business and problem the people associated with the whole thing (the baggage handlers, the airports, the airline companies, the courts, and so on).
Ask yourself, if this isn’t your business or problem, why should you be all concern about it?
The problem with the world today might not be people not caring about other people, but instead more about people messing around with things that aren’t their business in the first place.
Now… What about this so called drug problems?
Easy, decriminalize drug making, dealing, and trafficking. That would have eliminate this whole thing. Interestingly, it’s only after the ‘reformation’ that Indonesia’s drug laws become stricter.
Perharps Corby should have made a plea to the former President Suharto to bail her out? Assuming that she don’t want to be proven guilty or serve time, maybe she was threatened to ‘accept’ the verdict guily to save her family back home from suffering (maybe someone back home have a case against her family?), or maybe coming back home and living back home would be a more scarrier experiences (Indonesia is where many people escaped to when they’re in trouble, not the other way around), or maybe she think can make more money by playing the innocent victim, and so on.
It would have been much better to make a plea at Suharto than to make a plea at Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who is only a mere weak stooge like George Walker Bush, John Howard, Tony Blair, and so on.
As for what happened if there’s a boycott on Indonesia and/or Bali.
Australia got lots more to lose than Indonesia should things gone for the worse. Sure both countries are capable of living on their own, especially Indonesia with lots of natural resources and people (Indonesia don’t need tourism or even foreign debts… er, I mean ‘aids’, those things are usually force feed by foreign parties), but Australia would have their routes severly disconnected.
I don’t know on why some Australians gone nutty of the whole boycott thing, either for this one or another or another or another.
Are some of them trying to make people fight each other? Or are some of them aren’t actually Australians and/or have any loyalty toward Australia and therefore are trying to make Australia lose a lot? Or some of them lack common sense? Or are some of them are just plain on too much drugs and/or alcohols?
Here’s what happened:
The 4kg bag which was found in Corby’s boogie board bag was a decoy. The customs officials in Denpasar were tipped off to expect it. Meanwhile, a much larger consignment of marijuana was passing through Denpasar airport on the same day. Schapelle was the unwitting victim of a sting designed to divert attention from the real operation to import significant quantity of the drug into Bali.
The Australian government and Federal Police were the ones who tipped off the Indonesian customs agents. There is an entire complex subplot here involving closer co-operation between Australian and Indonesian governments. Lets just say that it suits certain Canberra agendas to have an Australian girl-next-door the focus of public attention at this time.
The Indonesians, initially reluctant to agree to the scheme proposed by the Australians, were convinced to go along with it by a promise to provide their own public relations coup in busting the Bali Nine. The AFP supplied the necessary information for the Indonesian police to be able to catch the low-level mules with heroin redhanded at Denpasar airport.
So there is a high-level political plot connecting both the Corby case and the Bali Nine and the emerging co-operation between Australian and Indonesian law officials in the so-called war on terror.
This scenario explains several otherwise inexplicable aspects to the case. It is absurd to imagine that a 4 kg bag of marijuana could simply be “forgotten” by baggage-handlers involved in smuggling. It was not forgotten: it was a deliberate diversion. It explains how the customs officials in Denpasar knew to expect and watch for the boogie board with the planted drugs in it. It explains Mick Keelty’s very strange public comments on the case, which in Australia would have certainly resulted in contempt of court charges. And it explains why the Bali Nine were arrested in Denpasar, rather than, as is usual standard operational procedure, permitting the heroin consignment to be delivered to its ultimate destination in order to identify and arrest the ringleaders.
And it explains the strange indifference of the Australian government to what is blindingly obvious, and that is the innocence of Schapelle Corby. She is a pawn in a much larger game.
As mentioned previously above in a couple of posts - weather she is guilty or not at this stage is not the issue - she has been found guilty. Theories - conspiracy or otherwise again do not matter. Any event similar to this will always be seen from many angles, any number of which may or may not be correct.
The fact of the matter now is that if the Australian Govt and the Indonesion Govt are to set up a prisoner exchange in the future, the last thing both want is it being played out in full public view. Having lived in Asia for many years you can never under estimate the importance of “giving/having face” in front of your friends/neighbours/contacts etc. this concept works at all levels and at a govt level, with the continued outbursts from australia on an emotional level, it will only serve to give all the more reason for the Indonesions to dig their heals in and not be open to giving any concessions. If Australia wants her back , the public need to accept what has happened and allow the govt back channels to do their thing and just maybe quietly a few years down the track they will agree to a release/transfer to Australia.
I have my own opinon as to wether she is guilty or not and I concur with a previous post that the public has not had the full background - there are facts out there that need to be considered.
To all those posters who have attacked those posting here with opinions different to their own, it’s time to grow up and look at this objectivly from a factual point of view not an emotional one.
As mentioned previously above in a couple of posts - weather she is guilty or not at this stage is not the issue - she has been found guilty. Theories - conspiracy or otherwise again do not matter. Any event similar to this will always be seen from many angles, any number of which may or may not be correct.
The fact of the matter now is that if the Australian Govt and the Indonesion Govt are to set up a prisoner exchange in the future, the last thing both want is it being played out in full public view. Having lived in Asia for many years you can never under estimate the importance of “giving/having face” in front of your friends/neighbours/contacts etc. this concept works at all levels and at a govt level, with the continued outbursts from australia on an emotional level, it will only serve to give all the more reason for the Indonesions to dig their heals in and not be open to giving any concessions. If Australia wants her back , the public need to accept what has happened and allow the govt back channels to do their thing and just maybe quietly a few years down the track they will agree to a release/transfer to Australia.
I have my own opinon as to wether she is guilty or not and I concur with a previous post that the public has not had the full background - there are facts out there that need to be considered.
To all those posters who have attacked those posting here with opinions different to their own, it’s time to grow up and look at this objectivly from a factual point of view not an emotional one.
As mentioned previously above in a couple of posts - weather she is guilty or not at this stage is not the issue - she has been found guilty. Theories - conspiracy or otherwise again do not matter. Any event similar to this will always be seen from many angles, any number of which may or may not be correct.
The fact of the matter now is that if the Australian Govt and the Indonesion Govt are to set up a prisoner exchange in the future, the last thing both want is it being played out in full public view. Having lived in Asia for many years you can never under estimate the importance of “giving/having face” in front of your friends/neighbours/contacts etc. this concept works at all levels and at a govt level, with the continued outbursts from australia on an emotional level, it will only serve to give all the more reason for the Indonesions to dig their heals in and not be open to giving any concessions. If Australia wants her back , the public need to accept what has happened and allow the govt back channels to do their thing and just maybe quietly a few years down the track they will agree to a release/transfer to Australia.
I have my own opinon as to wether she is guilty or not and I concur with a previous post that the public has not had the full background - there are facts out there that need to be considered.
To all those posters who have attacked those posting here with opinions different to their own, it’s time to grow up and look at this objectivly from a factual point of view not an emotional one.
Even if she did take the drugs into the country, (which makes no sense as the value decreases) she should not be locked up for so long, it is a stupid mistake made once and does not deserve 20 years. She is human.
I’m sorry but iv’e had a a change of heart on the Schapelle Corby case….it’s turned from ANGER to PURE HATRED of the Indonesian Govt….after all the help we have given them they spit in our faces….i can’t think of worse people in the entire world…they stink so much the stench is reaching Australia, we should not follow the advise of our gutless Prime Minister and Defense Minister, we as a nation should never have any dealings of any kind with these putrid people, people of Austalia unite…dont buy Indonesian, don’t travel there, and DON’T HELP THEM in any way.
-ray- (Perth W.A.)
Ray,
I think you’re the one who sent biological material and terrorize our embassy in canberra. I’ll tell you mate, it was a good action to put Corby on a longer sentence. I think lifetime imprisonment is enough for her. You simply make a change of our government feeling on this case. From “dont care” to “pure hatred”. So, let say byebye to your poor Corby.
And Ray, dont forget to visit this:
i would like to be able to contact shapelles sister as we are going to bali next week and would like to able to give her some essentials. can anyone help me with this. thought of going to the jail but now sure whether will be allowed and not sure whether i may be a good value visitor.
The Indonesian government are a pack of vile bastards! Karma on them!!Boycott the country Watch TV instead. It is safer. Schapelle will be free one day. Bring it on!Maybe it’s god’s wrath that a tsnunami struck! Shame on the Indonesians. Greed and the love of money is the root of all evil.This is total injustice.
The Indonesian government are a pack of vile bastards! Karma on them!!Boycott the country Watch TV instead. It is safer. Schapelle will be free one day. Bring it on!Maybe it’s god’s wrath that a tsnunami struck! Shame on the Indonesians. Greed and the love of money is the root of all evil.This is total injustice.
The Indonesian government are a pack of vile bastards! Karma on them!!Boycott this country Watch TV instead. It is safer. Schapelle will be free one day. Bring it on!Maybe it’s god’s wrath that a tsnunami struck! Shame on the Indonesians. Greed and the love of money is the root of all evil.This is total injustice.The truth will win in the end.
The Indonesian government are a pack of vile bastards! Karma on them!!Boycott this country Watch TV instead. It is safer. Schapelle will be free one day. Bring it on!Maybe it’s god’s wrath that a tsnunami struck! Shame on the Indonesians. Greed and the love of money is the root of all evil.This is total injustice.The truth will win in the end.
The Indonesian government are a pack of vile bastards! Karma on them!!Boycott this country Watch TV instead. It is safer. Schapelle will be free one day. Bring it on!Maybe it’s god’s wrath that a tsnunami struck! Shame on the Indonesians. Greed and the love of money is the root of all evil.This is total injustice.The truth will win in the end.
Carla, enough of this ok. You want to blame the Indonesian Govt or all the Indonesians? I’m interested to know what is your version of the Truth…. 
Yes Carla.. get over it.Schapelle had the ganja in her possesion.What are they supposed to do…?
She has not proved her innocence..
she is guilty why would she even open her bags to security if you knew if they were in your bag. She’s not that dumb?? I dont need to write a long parragraph coz you dont need to know that much only that i know in my heart that she really is GUILTY
Schapelle Corby is innocent all the way, believe you Schapell!!!! Good luck!!!! i hope you get out soon!!!!!
Sorry i spelt Schapelle’s name wrongin my last comment!!!!!!
Sorry i spelt Schapelle’s name wrong in my last comment!!!!!!
Sorry i spelt Schapelle’s name wrong in my last comment!!!!!!
I wish everyone would get over the Schapelle thing
Guilty or Innocent…? Who Cares…? she had the Ganja in her possesion and thats that !
Get over it everyone..!!
She is innocent in my books and with that said I also believe that many other innocents could be sitting in their jails. Predomenantly Australians. I don’t mean that theyre all innocent, just some perhaps. Schapelle was too excited to open her bag up infront of officials as if she wasn’t aware of the stashed items. You can’t act the way she did without winning a Oscar for it. The girl had light in her eyes. I would question the brother and perhaps even the have airports within bali investigated. That HOTMAN is trying to make the aussie govts look bad with lack of cooperation comments. He’s never lost a case, perhaps he’s worried.
hi i’d like to send some gifts and mail to shapelle corby is there anyone who can email me
her address so i can send stuff to the prison she’s in it’s so awful i know she’s innocent
please get back to me soon take care and gOD BLESS
LEXIE
hi i’d like to send some gifts and mail to shapelle corby is there anyone who can email me
her address so i can send stuff to the prison she’s in it’s so awful i know she’s innocent
please get back to me soon take care and gOD BLESS
LEXIE
HI im sorry to say this but your story dosn’t satisfy me i do not believe you are innocent and i thinkyou should stay in jail because i don’t like what ayou have done and my friend thinks that you are innocent but i ask her y because you don’[t have a real good story or no eviden ceproves you are innocent i mean how did the drugs fit into your bag so Goodly?Well thanx for you time goodbye and have fun?
why would drug smugglers put a measely 4 kg of weed in a randoms bodyboard bag. i would have thought that 4 kg of marijuana to an organsed drug ring would not even be worth their while. does anyone know if Ms corby has any prior drug related offences back at home or even smokes dope? interesting to know