Posted on 05/29/2005 1:03:37 PM PDT by wagglebee
CHAPELLE Corby is suffering cruel abuse and racial taunts in jail as Indonesian authorities move to keep her in prison for life.
The Indonesian Government yesterday backed the prosecution bid to toughen Corby's 20-year jail sentence for smuggling 4.1 kilograms of marijuana into Bali's airport last October.
"The 20 years in jail handed down by the Denpasar District Court is too light," Indonesian Attorney-General Abdul Rahman Sale told the Bali Post newspaper.
"She deserves to be sentenced to life."
As the reality of the marathon jail term sank in, Corby, 27, issued a heartfelt thank you to the nation.
"Thank you Australia. Thank you for standing by me," she said through her lawyers.
"Thank you for being there with me."
In other developments:
IT emerged long-term inmates of the dirty and overcrowded prison where she is being held have life expectancies of only 10 years.
THE trial judge defended his verdict as just.
HER family fears she may take her life if she is left to rot in prison.
MEMBERS of the Bali 9 were left dispirited after hearing for the first time that Corby had been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
THE Federal Government is offering to pay for the services of two top QCs with expertise in appeals in Indonesian law.
Corby's Indonesian lawyer, Vasu Rasiah, said she was struggling inside the notorious Kerobokan prison.
"Schapelle is very emotional - sometimes she is smiling, sometimes she is crying," he said.
"She's undergoing deep shock."
"Five or 10 years maybe you can understand, but 20 years - she just can't comprehend the time frame."
Ms Corby's cousin, who gave her name only as Nina, described the Australian's jail cell as a "disgusting, dirty and overcrowded place".
"She says the Indonesians inside are giving her hell because she wears western clothes and she can't speak Indonesian," she said.
The jail, near the Balinese capital Denpasar, was built for 366 prisoners, but holds 525. Among them are the Bali bombers.
The "Smiling Assassin" Amrozi - so-called because he laughed when punished for his role in killing 88 Australians - has yelled abuse at Corby as she tried to exercise.
Kerobokan prison doctor Anak Agung Gede Hartawan said common diseases included respiratory ailments and skin conditions, while many prisoners complained of headaches.
AIDS/HIV was rife, because corrupt officials turned a blind eye to drug abuse - indeed they are implicated in supplying them.
Dr Hartawan said 11 prisoners were confirmed carriers of HIV/AIDS, but dozens more were thought to have the virus.
Corby shares her 5m-wide cell with seven other women.
She will be forced to wash with a small bucket of untreated water and a ladle.
The squat toilet is near the food preparation area and the risk of contracting gastric disease is high.
For up to 20 hours a day she will be confined to her cell, where she will sleep on a mat on a tiled floor under a fluorescent light that is never switched off.
Chief judge Linton Sirait defended the guilty verdict, dismissing public angst the decision has caused.
"I am responsible for my verdict to the God, not to the people."
Corby's mother Rosleigh had screamed after the verdict that the judges would lose sleep over their decision, but yesterday Judge Sirait said he had slept "very well last night".
He said had not let Corby's emotion influence the decision.
"A judge is not allowed to bring his emotion to the case, so the judge decides in accordance to the law," he said.
Corby's family last night issued a statement appealing to Australians to continue visiting Bali.
"Do not boycott Bali. We don't want the Balinese people to hurt any more," it said.
"We just want the Australian people to boycott Qantas flights and direct your anger at Jakarta.
"Thank you to all the Australian people for their support. We are not finished yet."
Corby's brother Michael feared his sister might try to take her own life.
"She'd be thinking of killing herself," he said.
"She's been strong up until now, believing justice will prevail. But now . . . she's not going to cope."
Corby's Australian lawyer said it was likely they would accept the Australian Government's offer of legal assistance.
Solicitor Robin Tampoe said any assistance from Perth QCs Tom Percy and Mark Trowell, experts in appeals and Indonesian law, would be welcome.
The Australian Government had urged the Corby defence team to accept the pro bono offer.
Mr Percy yesterday warned that Corby risked having her jail term extended to life if the defence team appealed.
But criminologist Professor Paul Wilson, who testified in favour of Corby during the trial, said a win was not out of the question.
"It will be extremely difficult, but not impossible," he said.
Once you get to Hawaii you'll find everything costs a fortune. It's called a paradise tax.
Once you get past the border towns, Mexico is a lot less sleazy (but still plenty sleazy, just not in your face sleazy). If your impression of Mexico is from TJ or Jarez you have'nt seen the whole picture.
I've met some people who have gotten into similar situations. The best approach is usually to NOT seek any publicity and start bribing the necessary officials. Just about everything is for sale in the Third World, but once it becomes public they are more intent on "saving face" and not being seen as backing down to outside pressure.
4.1 Kilos = 4.1 X 2.2lbs = over 8 pounds of dope
20 years for dope, while the Bali bombers get 2 years
If this is not an excuse for a jail invasion to free her, I dont know what is
And I am in favor of the WOD!
When I last returned from Turkey to the US, the dogs alerted on my luggage. After almost 4 hours I was allowed to drag my shredded luggage out of the airport. My greatest worry was dope planted in my stuff. What could you possibly do if that's the case?
Moral of the story:
Take only carry on.
Somehow, when you used the word "toilet", memories of my business travels to under-developed or non-developed and can't-develope-because-it-would-ruin-the-ruler's-cash-flow countries popped into my mind.
The same story on Fox that I saw yesterday had the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, saying that there is nothing he can do...that Australian citizens that break other countries laws are to expect to be punished according to those country's laws....
I guess where I stand is, that I would like to know for sure that is wasn't planted...
I would hate for anyone, no matter what they looked like, or what country they lived in, to have to suffer in a prison like that....
I don't do drugs, and would never, ever transport them, but just the thought of being framed in a country whose laws are dictated by Mulims with their wacky laws entwined with their religion...(shudder)
I believe I too will stay right here in the USA---prolly in Texas...at least I know Texas law...I think...sigh...
Murderers in this country walk out of jail after only 5 or 6 years, while drug offenders are locked away 25 to life. That's your drug war for you.
Coming from Turkey to here, you might have a chance...
Going to Turkey, from here, heaven help you!!!
I dont disagree that she should be punished if it wasnt planted, only that the sentence does not fit the crime.
Especially in light of the Bali bombers getting 2 yrs.
My opinion has no bearing on the justice she will have to face, you are correct. What a stupid risk if she did carry 9 lbs around.
All my sixes live in Texas!< /really bad country twang >
Sorry, that line popped into my head and I saw no need to suffer alone.
You hit the nail on the head. The same people who support the War on Drugs at home and crying outrage over this sentence. Take away the fact that she's a white Australian beauty school student, and most people wouldn't give two hoots about this case.
No need to apologize. You are absolutely right. People that travel to backassward outposts without understanding the risks, particularly if you break their laws, are foolish. This woman is the poster child of exactly what the deal is. If you don't think it's a smart deal, don't go.
"The Caribbean is okay..."
Well I've never been anywhere, and given my attitude I'll probably never go anywhere, but I would go (and would like to go) to Bermuda or Nassau or the Bahamas. They seem to be law abiding countries and not sink holes like so many other places are. MAYBE Puerto Rico, since it is US territory. And I LOVE those TV ads they've had running. Whoever did those ads should win any award available, they actually make me want to got to PR, a place I'd formerlly sworn to avoid at all costs.
Its an honor to share in your suffrage then. lol
But for that that you will have to think of Abbas Dancing Queen in return.
Don't worry, Miss Corby. The great humanitarian geniuses at Amnesty International say you're lucky not to be in Gitmo.
They said they'll try to be by to check on you in about 10 or 15 years.
If I remember correctly, a few years ago some kid got sentenced to death in Singapore or some similar place, and in spite of pleading and begging by the Queen of England and even Lady Thatcher, they swung him anyway.
Why oh why do westerners play dope games in these type countries?
as I understand this, she claims the drugs were put in her bags by workers at the Australian airport. If she had checked luggage, didn't they weigh it when she checked in? Seems a 9lbs weight change would be noticed ?
After this, I'd be sure to have the check-in person note the weight of my checked luggage before letting them have my bags. Also have a list of everything in my bags. That way they couldn't displace 9lbs of my belongings and replace with drugs or other contraband.
This story makes me sick.
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