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SCHAPELLE Corby's mother Rosleigh Rose says her daughter will be better off serving out her sentence in Bali despite Australia and Indonesia agreeing on a prisoner exchange deal.
"I think it is a good treaty for both countries to have but in Schapelle's case, no, because Schapelle's innocent and she shouldn't be coming over to Australian jails - she has to be set free," she told Channel 9 tonight.
Ms Rose agreed that conditions would be better in Australia and that her daughter would be easier to visit.
But she baulked at her daughter's transfer because she was not sure of legal avenues for future appeals in Australia.
"Yes all that would be better but she's innocent and she should not be transferred from one jail to another," she said.
"It all sounds good when you are saying it like that ... but we don't know how our avenues are here to free Schapelle."
Click Here for Full Story
Aussie jail hope for Corby
AUSTRALIA and Indonesia have moved closer to a prisoner-exchange deal, which is expected to be signed in Bali today.
Details of the agreement have not been settled, but if the deal takes the likely course it will mean convicted drug carriers Schapelle Corby and members of the Bali Nine could be given the chance to complete their sentences in Australia.
Indonesian Justice and Human Rights Minister Hamid Awaluddin revealed late yesterday he planned to finalise arrangements for the treaty when he meets Attorney-General Philip Ruddock in Bali today. The plan is to sign the agreement in September.
Revelations a prisoner-exchange treaty between Australia and its near neighbour is close to reality will come as good news to at least some of the Australians in Bali's Kerobokan jail.
It comes as a surprise to many who believed such a treaty was years away, especially after relations between the countries chilled in the wake of the Papuan asylum-seekers row.
Click Here for Full Story
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23 June 2006
SPIRIT OF SCHAPELLE UPDATE
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Hi Everyone,
Since I first created the Spirit of Schapelle website on 5th July 2005, I have been amazed by the level of support the site has generated for Schapelle and her family. SOS now boasts a tremendously dedicated team of administrators who work tirelessly to ensure our members are kept informed on anything relating to Schapelle's ongoing dilemma. Our support base has grown rapidly and boasts loyal members from all over the world.
Recently however, the SOS was maliciously attacked and as a result, was offline. Members are advised that the site is expected to be fully operational within the next 24 HOURS.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and are deeply grateful that supporters have remained vigilant in their support to Schapelle and the SOS Team. Thank you all for your letters of support. It is apparent to me that someone out there is seeking to destroy this tremendous support base we have built together for Schapelle. Rest assured that with or without a website of supporters, there will always be a strong physical presence of active campaigners throughout the world, who believe 100% that Schapelle Corby is deserving of our support.
I would like to invite you back to our site and check out our new Schapelle Chat Room at our Home Page www.spiritofschapelle.com
Kirstie M. SOS Admin
Archive of this story
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Smile and file -
Mercedes Corby’s
step to Hinduism
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"It is a 2000-year-old custom, unique to Balinese
Hindus and its name sends shivers down most spines
– tooth filing. Tony and Elaine Wilson were invited by
Mercedes Corby to her tooth-filing ceremony, and far
from being painful, it turned out to be a very special
and unusual event."
We have been invited
to countless
christenings,
weddings and the like, but
never anything like this.
In an interview last year,
Mercedes Corby had told Gold
Coast Bulletin readers how she
became a Hindu after meeting
her future husband, Wayan, in
Bali in far happier times, years
before the arrest and imprisonment
of sister Schapelle.
At the time, she mentioned in
passing that she was supposed to
take part in a tooth-filing ceremony,
the last stage undertaken
in her passage to becoming a
Hindu, but she was pregnant
then and unable to be involved in
this strange-sounding ritual.
Apart from thinking at the
time it sounded painful, I thought
no more of it. That was until she
mentioned this year that a date
had been set for her and others to
have their teeth filed, and asked if
my wife, Elaine, and I would like
to attend.
Adorned for the tooth-filing ceremony. Mercedes Corby is pictured centre front |
We duly accepted and flew to
Bali, wondering what was in
store for us.
It turned out to be a far more
elaborate and important event
than we had imagined and one
rarely seen by Westerners, as it
only happens in any extended
Balinese family group every 18 or
20 years.
It is the most important event
in a Hindu’s life in Bali – more
important than marriage. It is
supposed to be carried out before
women marry, while they are still
in their youth, but obviously an
exception had to be made for
Mercedes. She joined nine other
young people from Wayan’s family
group for the tooth-filing,
or metatah.
Click Here for Full Story
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Travel warning - Remember Schapelle
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WHEN convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was sentenced a year ago to 20 years in a Bali prison, the televised images of her anguish as she was hauled from the courtroom were almost too distressing to watch.
In the immediate aftermath, there was a powerful sense in this country Corby had been harshly dealt with, particularly against the background of the Indonesian authorities' reluctance to hand down tough sentences on some of those convicted of offences relating to the Bali terrorist attacks.
Corby, convicted on what – to some eyes – looked like a weak set of facts would be in jail for 20 years while the evil cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, for example, would be out in two. Where was the equity in that? Coupled with a raft of damaging allegations about slack baggage handling arrangements at Sydney airport, it all looked to add up – again, to some eyes – to rough justice for Corby.
Now from her prison cell, Corby is trying to keep her situation in the public consciousness, sending letters asking her supporters to continue their lobbying efforts, and who could blame her for that?
Click Here for Full Story
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I stay strong for Schapelle
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HUGS AND KISSES: Schapelle Corby and her mum Rosleigh Rose celebrate Mother's Day in 1999. |
THIS is not a story of guilt or innocence, of wrongs and rights, or black or white. This is simply the story of one woman's fierce love for her child, a child who – however you view her circumstances – is in terrible trouble, a child who is far from home and who, most nights, wants nothing and no one more than her mother.
The mother is Rosleigh Rose; the child, her daughter Schapelle Corby; and the first sign of the extraordinary bond between them is in the bunches of yellow ribbons which continue to flutter defiantly on the letterbox outside Rosleigh's suburban home.
Much has been written about the Corby case, dinner parties have babbled across the country with "did she or didn't she?" debates, rumours have raged and through it all, Rosleigh has remained resolute.
"Those ribbons," she says firmly, "are not coming down until my daughter comes home."
Click Here for Full Story
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Indonesia's former Police Chief admits the case against Schapelle Corby was flawed.
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Bambang Sugiarto says there are gaps in the prosecution case against Corby.
Photo: (ABC) |
At the time of making this statement, Colonel Sugiarto was the head of the Balinese drug squad.
He made several admissions that revealed a number of flaws in the case against Schapelle Corby.
In one statement, Colonel Sugiarto said to Channel Nine [Australian Television] that there were some
weaknesses in the case . On Indonesian television, he further commented that there was a lack of
television footage at the Bali airport when Schapelle arrived in October 2004. Colonel Sugiarto
said there were other gaps in the prosecutions case. He concluded that the Schapelle Corby case
was only 50% investigated because of difficulties with fingerprinting. These difficulties arose
because the Indonesian police failed to wear protective gloves whilst handling the evidence.
Effectively, they contaminated the evidence to such an extent that it could never be verified either way, if Schapelle or anyone else had handled it. The case against Schapelle Corby should have been convincingly in doubt.
On 9 December 2004, two months following Schapelle's arrest, the Indonesian News Digest reported comments made by the Jakarta Legal Aid foundation (LBH) stating that the law enforcement agencies are incapable of upholding human rights in Indonesia and urged the government to reactivate the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention in Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Of course, in accordance with the ICCPR, there would be several clear violations of the articles relating to the Schapelle Corby case. For one, pre-investigations that are only ever half completed, to contaminated evidence and heresay, certainly do not constitute justice.
Schapelle Corby is a victim of injustice. As stated by the Head of the Balinese drug squad, the case was flawed and only ever half the investigation completed. Surely this creates serious concern as to whether the judicial process in Indonesia can be effective and whether or not, it can overturn decisions that are clearly made in error.
We respectfully appeal to the President of Indonesia and his Government to overturn the decision of the courts that sentenced Schapelle Corby in the absence of proper and fair judicial proceedings.
Click Here for Full Story
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Schapelle Corby Supporter
updates - April 2006
An Australian detained in Indonesia ~ Fighting injustice!
This April update will give you a brief overview of what the Schapelle Supporters have done recently to keep high level support going for Schapelle Corby, an Australian citizen detained in Kerobokan prison [Bali] since her arrest on October 8, 2004.
Schapelle was convicted of drug trafficking in the absence of a fair trial and sentenced 20 years imprisonment on 27 May 2005.
Schapelle Corby is a kind, compassionate young woman, a loving sister, a loyal friend and faithful daughter. Schapelle does not deserve to be where she is.
Schapelle is Innocent!
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Update Schapelle Corby -
'When will the nightmare end?'
by Kay Danes - 19 April 2006
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There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can circumvent, or hinder, or control a firm resolve of a determined soul.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox, American poet and writer
Thank you to all those supporters who are continuing to show their compassion to Schapelle and the Corby family. So much time has passed and to many of us, it seems like a lifetime. Not a day goes by that we don't think of Schapelle sitting in Kerobokan prison, waiting for freedom. Every day I remember her and how we sat together in a quiet corner of a place filled with such despair, hoping that when tomorrow came she would be leaving Indonesia with the rest of us. But the day only brought more misery when Schapelle's fate was sealed by a system of corruption.
How long will Schapelle wait in that dark place alone, while we continue helplessly in the hope that each day is one day closer to her coming home. We pray for a miracle against the injustice that she has been dealt. Her spirit to endure is as strong as it ever was, although, there must be times when she herself wonders 'when will the nightmare end?'
Like Schapelle, I worry that time will pass and people will forget her but I continue to hope it won't be so. Indeed her journey is filled with uncertainty but one thing is certain, Schapelle will always shine as bright as any evening star and we will not forget her.
Please keep her in your hearts and in your prayers so that she will not fade into the shadows of Kerobokan. Please keep the letters, postcards and care packages coming so that she knows we are here, just beyond those walls. Kerobokan Prison can be such a lonely place and particularly, when you are left to your thoughts at night when the busy day is done.
There have been quite a number of people writing to us and requesting visits with Schapelle at the prison. Most of these enquiries have been from genuine supporters who care deeply about Schapelle's emotional well being. Sadly however, there have been a number of people that have sought to exploit Schapelle and hence why all visits are now restricted to family and her legal advisors. It continues to be a stressful time for Schapelle, and even more so, when she is forced to be on her guard daily whenever strangers arrive to the prison, on false pretences, hoping to force that chance meeting or photograph which finds its way on front page news. Please understand how vulnerable Schapelle really is, in her present situation.
Schapelle's Lawyer Erwin Siregar is continuing to lobby for her release despite the fact that he has faced insurmountable obstacles, notwithstanding the fact that the Supreme Court Appeal failed and that Schapelle's sentence was reinstated to 20 years; or for the fact that the court ordered the destruction of the evidence even though Erwin Siregar submitted a further legal challenge to appeal. All of this has not gone unnoticed with Schapelle Supporters from the Spirit of Schapelle forum, collectively voicing their concerns in writing to the Australian Government [see below].
Thank you to all those who are continuing the fight against this injustice, after all, what has happened to Schapelle could so easily happen to any one of us!
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Letter to Australian Prime Minister from concerned citizen [Brad]
30 January 2006
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to request that the Australian Government urgently makes another formal request to obtain a sample of the marijuana that was found in Ms Schapelle Corby's luggage when she arrived at Denpasar Airport, Bali, Indonesia on October 8th 2004.
It has been reported in very recent news, that her Supreme Court Appeal has failed and that she has had her sentence increased to 20 years. Furthermore, the court ordered the destruction of the evidence. Consequently, once the evidence is destroyed, then there will be no material available to prove forensically the origin of the marijuana by pollen testing or other methods. I am aware that a previous request to obtain a sample was unsuccessful.
It is of prime importance that this material gets tested. It has been widely reported in the print media that on October 8th 2004 (the day before the Federal Election) a shipment of 9.9 Kg of cocaine arrived into Sydney International Airport on Aerolineas Argentinas Flight 1881, landing at 8.00 am; Ms Corby arrived in Sydney at 7.30 am and departed for Bali close to 10.30 am. The overlapping times are beyond a coincidence! In fact there is a distinct possibility that the marijuana was on that same flight. Further information of the marijuana being on that flight is included in the accompanying attachment. I do hope that you are aware that as recently as May 2005 a senior member of the AFP was being investigated for passing on vital information to the cocaine smuggling syndicate about a registered informant (RI 719) who was a baggage handler at Sydney International airport and a member of this syndicate.
Ms Corby has had tremendous bad luck with gaining any form of evidence to assist her. You have stated that you can not intervene in the judicial process of another country. I accept that. However, now that Ms Corby's appeals process has ended are you in a position to make another formal request for a sample of the marijuana to be collected and to be tested forensically by Australian Federal Police, particularly given the circumstance set out in the attachment? Would it be possible to suggest to the Indonesian Government that the Australian Government (or taxpayer) will pay for such testing? Such forensic testing may also be useful evidence in the court cases of the cocaine smuggling syndicate.
I am certain Ms Corby would appreciate any effort made to gain such information.
Yours truly,
Brad
[details provided in original letter]
31 March 2006 Reply from Chris Ellison
31 March 2006
Dear Brad,
Thank you for your letter of 30 January 2006 to the Prime Minister regarding the conviction of Ms Schapelle Corby in Indonesia for the possession of marijuana. The Prime Minister has requested that I reply to you due to my portfolio responsibility for the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The AFP received information from various sources relating to allegations of baggage handlers at Australian airports placing narcotics into paseenger baggage for interstate shipment. The AFP and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) State Drug Investigation Unit formed a joint team to investigate the allegations.
Australian Law enforcement agencies have conducted an extensive investigation in relation to the departure of Ms Corby from Australia and the possible involvement of a third party in placing the cannabis in her baggage. Law enforcement agencies have exhausted their enquiries in relation to this matter and to date have been unable to support Ms Corby's claims that the marijuana was not in her baggage on check-in for her flight leaving Brisbane on 8 October 2004. Further, I am advised that there is no x-ray image or closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage available in relation to the departure of Ms Corby to support her claims.
Additionally, as a result of a protracted investigation relating to the alleged importation of cocaine into Australia, referred in your correspondence, I am advised that all avenues of enquiry conducted by law enforcement agencies failed to identify any link between the cannabis located in the baggage belonging to Ms Corby and the syndicate allegedly responsible for the importation of cociane through Sydney Airport the same day.
I also note your comments relating to an investigation relating to the unlawful disclosure of information by a member of the AFP. This investigation exonerated the officer of any unlawful disclosure in relation to this matter.
In relation to the testing of the marijuana, I can confirm that the AFP made a general offer of assistance to the Indonesian National Police (INP) in December 2004, however due to the finalisation of the police investigation this offer of assistance was declined. As you are aware the AFP can not directly intervene in the legal processes underway in Indonesia unless there is a direct request for assistance from the Indonesian Court or the INP. This advice was provided directly to Ms Corby's lawyers. It was the responsibility of Ms Corby's defence team to initiate this request through the Indonesian Courts. I can also confirm that the AFP has not received a request for assistance from the INP or the Indonesian Courts for any forensic assistance in this matter before or after the conviction of Ms Corby.
Again, please be assured that the Australian Government thriugh the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will monitor the welfare of Ms corby and provide all appropriate assistance.
Yours sincerely,
CHRIS ELLISON,
Senator for Western Australia
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Monitoring the welfare of an Australian citizen is a far cry from ensuring their
legal and civil rights are not violated
as in the Schapelle Corby case!
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Messages to Schapelle
The following are just some of the letters submitted through the Spirit of Schapelle Forum from supporters who are not prepared to let Schapelle become a memory.
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Schapelle,
...I have followed your journey for so long now it has become part of my life too! I pray each and every day that you will be home soon. You have many people that support you so please keep your chin high and know that you are thought about by many at this website and many others. Your strength has shone through to everyone and that is what will get you home. I have 5 and 3 year old daughters and my eldest often asks questions about you and my answer is always the same..."She will be home soon". You are doing a great job, being the person you are! Don't lose your faith Schapelle, be positive and you will get through it all... See you home soon!
Love Debbie
[South Australia]
Schapelle,
Your story has reached us here in the UK. We are all with you hun. Stay strong. The democratic world is behind you.
I'll keep watching, and praying.
Ross
[Scotland]
Hi Schapelle
Bad things do happen to good people. But behind them there are always lots of good things. You just have to be patient. Darn it. Where did I leave that fast forward button. I can't bring you home and I've no idea how long it's going to be. Like you, all I can do is put my trust in the lawyers. But I will be on your side for as long as it takes ... And I know your day is coming when you will 'feel the sand between your toes, seabreeze fly through your hair'. It's out there somewhere, just waiting for you. And I know it will be incredibly special for you. Sooner rather than later, please.
Cheers and hugs and stuff
Geoff
[Tasmania]
The Spirit of Schapelle forum invites you to become a member and show your support
to an innocent Australian detained in a Bali prison.
http://spiritofschapelle.com
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Cameras 'worked for Corby'
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Evidence ... authorities burn marijuana from Schapelle Corby's boogie board. Picture: Lukman S Bintoro
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JUSTICE Minister Chris Ellison has rejected claims that security cameras covering baggage conveyor belts at Sydney Airport were not working the day Schapelle Corby travelled through en route to Bali.
Senator Ellison has admitted that three of 66 cameras in the baggage area either had to be repositioned or refocused between October 2004 and May 2005.
But he said the Government was not hiding anything that could have helped Corby, who travelled from Brisbane to Sydney and then to Bali where she was arrested in October 2004 after authorities found 4kg of cannabis in her bodyboard bag.
Despite claiming Australian baggage handlers were responsible for stashing the drugs in the bag, Corby was convicted by a Bali court and given a 20-year jail term.
Her mother Rosleigh Rose today maintained her daughter's innocence and said the Federal Government was not telling the truth.
"They have used my daughter to cover their own a***s and it's all going to blow up in their faces," Ms Rose said. "She has to come home because she is innocent."
Senator Ellison said the camera coverage areas overlapped and at no stage was there any area not under surveillance.
"On October 8, 2004 when Schapelle Corby travelled through Sydney airport we had no problems with our cameras," he said.
"The two isolated incidents in relation to the positioning of these cameras related to other times and in any event there were other cameras surveilling the same area."
Click Here for Full Story
Big gap in airline staff security checks
Airport camera claims 'not new'
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FPSS Member writes Indoinesian President over halt to exchange negotiations
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April 4th, 2006
Concerned, longstanding member of the Foreign Prisoner Support Service writes to
Indonesian President.
Attention: His Excellency Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President RI,
Istana Merdeka,
Jakarta 10110,
INDONESIA
Fax: 00 62 21 345 2685 / 00 62 21 526 8726
cc: MP Djoko Susilo
Tel: (62) 21 798 8944
Email: susilo_djoko@...
Dear President
I write to you with great concern regarding the decision that
Nationalist MP Djoko Susilo has called for a halt in negotiations to
establish a prisoner exchange between Indonesia and Australia
because of the Australian Immigration Departments decision to grant
temporary protection visas to 42 Papuans this week. Mr Djoko Susilo
was quoted as stating, "We are trying not to hurt the Australian
and we want more action taken by our government against yours, the
prisoners will stay in Indonesia - they won't do their prison time
in Australia now." He has also called for called for punitive
sanctions against Australia and a cut in military ties.
Click Here for Complete Letter -
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Corby case drugs destroyed
Photo opportunity ... Corby's lawyer says the media-staged drug destruction
destroys crucial evidence. Picture: Lukman Bintoro |
THE 4.1kg of marijuana that landed Schapelle Corby a 20-year jail term went up in smoke in Bali yesterday.
Her boogie board and the blue board bag, which had contained the stash of drugs and her flippers, were also set alight with long flaming poles amid much pomp and ceremony.
The torching of the 28-year-old's property and the marijuana – part of the Bali prosecution's periodic destruction of drug evidence – went ahead despite a last-minute plea from her lawyers to have it stopped.
The Corby evidence was destroyed alongside that from 56 other cases, including almost 2kg of heroin, almost 1000 ecstasy pills and 800 bottles of beer.
Its destruction was ordered by the Supreme Court in Jakarta, which recently rejected her appeal and reinstated her 20-year sentence for drug smuggling. With the Bali prosecution's boss, police chiefs and the local mayor in attendance, the morning's burning took on almost regal and ritualistic tones.
The marijuana was emptied into a drum, kerosene poured over it before five officials, brandishing fire sticks and wearing surgical masks, lit the marijuana.
The boogie board, bag and flipper met the same fate, with a great plume of black smoke heralding their destruction.
Click Here for Full Story
Corby's despair as evidence burns
Bali police burn Corby's marijuana
Sorrow felt by Schapelle Supporters
The outpouring of concern for the Corby's and for Schapelle has been
overwhelming particularly from the supporters of the Spirit of Schapelle
Support Forum. Many of these supporters were sparked into action after
receiving an urgent request from the Administrator of the Free Schapelle
Website - Schapelle Corby's Official Web site. They have written last
minute appeals to the Australian Government, telephoned their local members
of parliament and Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer, appealed to
the Australian Attorney General and Ambassador of Indonesia to Australia.
They sent hundreds of letters of outrage to the Australian media.
Click Here for Full Story
letter to the Ambassador of the Indonesian Embassy in Australia.
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FPSS Urgent update - March 15, 2006
Indonesia set to destroy Corby's evidence
On Friday 17 March 2006, the evidence that could prove Schapelle Corby's
innocence will be destroyed by the Indonesian Authorities.
Schapelle's lawyers are urgently pushing to have tests done as a last ditch
effort to prove their client's innocence.
"They haven't even allowed her lawyers to fully exhaust all avenues of
appeal before they destroy the evidence that has yet to be tested" says Kay
Danes, an advocate for the Foreign Prisoner Support Service.
"Australia has given Indonesia billions of dollars over the past few years
for Customs, Law enforcement and forensic training and yet, at no time
during Schapelle's arrest did any Indonesian authorities wear protective
gloves, nor did they bother to finger print her boogey board bag, or test
the cannabis as you would expect any law enforcement agency to do" says Kay
Danes. "What hope does an Australian citizen ever have to a fair trial
when these basic protocols are not even followed?"
Click Here for URGENT PRESS RELEASE
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Schapelle Corby Update by Tony Wilson - 12 March 2006
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Tony Wilson Photo Copyright F.P.S.S
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IT was a real kick in the guts. My wife Elaine and I had been looking
forward to seeing Schapelle for the first time since October [2005].
We arrived in Bali on Wednesday, March 1 [2006], wondering how the Tugun
woman had handled the dire news in January [2005] that her sentence had
been restored to 20 years.
Schapelle's sister, Mercedes, greeted us with the news Schapelle had an eye
infection. The infection, known as mata-merah or red-eye, is an Indonesian
version of conjunctivitis only it is far more severe than its Australian
cousin. It makes the eyes swell until they close, run continually and
become extremely sore.
"It is highly contagious and when Schapelle contracted it for the first
time in December, my two kids, Dad (Michael) and I all caught it," said
Mercedes.
"I was in so much pain I didn't leave the house for a week and it took
Schapelle, Dad and I two weeks to get rid of it."
Click Here for Complete Story
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Schapelle Corby Update Friday 10 March 2006
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Thank you to everyone who has continued to send emails to us and to those
who are sending a steady stream of letters to Schapelle in Bali. Your
continued support and concern for Schapelle is inspiring and gives her
great comfort.
Many supporters are anxious for news updates and we will do our best to
keep you all informed. At times it will be difficult to share information
due to the current legal strategies going on behind the scenes. But without
compromising that area too much we would like to advise that Schapelle is
now being assisted with international legal representation in support of
her current legal team who have, and are, continuing to make appropriate
representations on her behalf. It may be quiet on the public front but
certainly not behind the scenes.
Click Here for Complete Story
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No 'direct link' between trafficking report and Corby
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Federal Transport Minister John Anderson says there is no link between the case of convicted drug smuggler, Schapelle Corby, and a Customs report highlighting major problems of drug trafficking at Sydney Airport.
The report alleges that teams of baggage handlers, cleaners and other airport workers have been involved in diverting bags containing drugs from international flights to domestic flights.
It also points to other "serious" security breaches.
Mr Anderson says he has been aware of the issues raised in the report, which was completed in September of last year, and he says work has been done to fix the problems.
Mr Anderson told Channel 9 there is no connection to Corby, who claimed the four kilograms of marijuana found in her bag in Bali last year, had been planted during her domestic flight from Brisbane to Sydney.
"It doesn't find any direct link there," he said.
Click Here for Full Article
International Prisoner Advocates acknowledge
Journalist' support to Schapelle Corby
Foreign Prisoner Support Service would like to acknowledge Australian
Journalist Tony Wilson of the Gold Coast Bulletin for his consistent,
ongoing dedication to Schapelle Corby and her family. Tony Wilson has been
relentless in reporting every aspect of the story from the moment this
young Australian was arrested in the Denpassar Airport in October
2004. Tony Wilson has shown the type of compassion that few journalists
allow themselves to show in these complex cases.
Click Here for Complete Story
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Free Schapelle News Release 24 Jan 2006
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Letters and care packages [and hand made gifts] are still being delivered
in large quantities to Schapelle and in fact, her family are receiving
quite a large volume of letters as well. This is tremendously encouraging
and shows the true spirit of all Australians that help others when they are
down. Thank you to all those supporters who are continuing to show this
type of dedication which is really inspiring! Thank you also to the
Kerobokan Prison Authorities for allowing this overwhelming support to
continue to flourish.
Recent confirmation has been obtained and we must advise that Schapelle is
NOT able to purchase a prison cell in Kerobokan Prison. It has been
confirmed today by her sister Mercedes, to the Foreign Prisoner Support
Service, that there are no cells available. There are 100 female prisoners
detained in Kerobokan and there are only 10 cells to accommodate them.
Click Here for Full Press Release
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Schapelle Corby's sentence reinstated to 20 years
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HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: In breaking news, the ABC has been told by a
number of officials in the Jakarta Supreme Court that the convicted drug smuggler, Schapelle
Corby's final appeal has failed and her sentence has been increased from 15 years back to the
original 20 set by the Denpasar District Court last year.
Joining me on the line now
is our Indonesia Correspondent Tim Palmer.
Tim, what have you heard?
TIM PALMER:
What I can tell you, and we have since seen the documents sent from Indonesia's highest court,
the Supreme Court in Jakarta, to Denpasar's District Court, I can tell you that the appeal was
decided a week ago today and that in fact Schapelle Corby's appeal not only failed, but the prosecutor's counter appeal succeeded. And that Schapelle Corby having had her sentence pared back from the original 20 years given to her in Denpasar last year to 15 years, after the Denpasar High Court first appeal, has now had that reversed.
That case has been cancelled, struck out by the highest court in the land, and she's been returned and now faces 20 years in a Balinese prison once again.
HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Tim, where does this leave the Corby defence now?
TIM PALMER: Well unless they can mount some argument to reopen the case, or have a retrial on the basis of evidence, this is, pretty much, the final avenue of appeal for Schapelle Corby.
At this stage, it is more likely that it is time for Schapelle Corby's family probably, to start examining avenues such as a prisoner transfer scheme if she wanted to return to Australia, if the Australian Government does negotiate such things.
The standard range of judicial options for Schapelle Corby is pretty much exhausted at this stage.
HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Okay, Tim Palmer, thank you very much for your time.
Click Here for Complete Story
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Drug accused clears Corby
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HOLIDAY snap ... Malcolm McCauley and Schapelle Corby in the Bali jail.
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CONVICTED drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has been cleared of any link to the Adelaide
man facing drug charges with whom she was photographed in Bali's Kerobokan Prison.
Breaking his silence, the man in the controversial photos – Malcolm McCauley, 60 – said
he had visited Corby twice last year in Bali, but only as a tourist offering support during her trial.
"A mate and I were in Bali, and we thought we'd go have a looksee in court," Mr McCauley
said at his Adelaide home yesterday. "She's high profile, and she's an Aussie, that's why we
and a lot of others were interested in it. -
Click Here for Complete Story
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"We won't leave without Schapelle."
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Mercedes Corby with her Balinese husband and their children
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11 January 2006,
written by Mercedes Corby
"Thank you to all the people throughout the world who are continuing
to support my sister Schapelle [Corby] who is currently detained in Kerobokan Prison, Bali.
On behalf of Schapelle, and my family, I would like to express my sincerest
gratitude to everyone who has not given up on our fight to bring Schapelle home.
It has been a long and difficult journey and at times I wonder where we find the
strength to endure but then I see my sister smile and I know that there can be no
other choice but to continue supporting her, for however long it takes. -
Click Here for Complete Story
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Message from Corby Family Update 7 Jan 2006
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Happy New Year Everyone! Mercedes would like to thank all the supporters for
their tremendous efforts in sending handmade gifts for Schapelle.
Spirit of Schapelle Forum member, Roz Fisher of Adelaide, made a lovely
'Book of Hope' currently listed on this website. Mercedes said that
Schapelle thought this was absolutely divine and sends her special thanks
to Roz. If you'd like to see it then visit
this link .
Also, another SOS member, Tina [teenadee] from Perth, sent a lovely
handmade book with photo's of Schapelle in it and messages of faith, hope
and support. Well done Tina! This is absolutely inspiring.
Mercedes said that she's going to write everyone another letter soon
thanking them. But in the event she gets snowed under.... please know that
these gifts, letters and cards that you are all taking such time and care
to send, are getting through. They are very much appreciated. Mercedes said
that there have been parcels arriving from supporters and all these are
lifting Schapelle's spirits tremendously.
Keep it coming. Your thoughtfulness is keeping a smile on our Schapelle's
face. You can join other supporters at http://www.spiritofschapelle.com/forum
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Message from Corby Family 26 December 2005
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Dear Friends,
We would like to Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New year.
Thank you for your continued support, advice, letters,well wishes and
lovely packages for Schapelle.
Thank you for caring so much!
From The Corby Family
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22 December 2005 'Hope Book for Schapelle'
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Roz Fisher, an Adelaide member of the SOS Forum [Spirit of Schapelle] made
this wonderful 'Hope Book for Schapelle'. Please take a few minutes to look
at it. It is absolutely fantastic that the supporters at this forum are
continuing to show such tremendous support to help keep alive the hopes of
a young girl fighting for her freedom. Well done Roz!
Click Here to Read the Hope Book
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Corby's mum to hand-deliver photos
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HAPPY to take evidence back to Indonesia ... Schapelle Corby's mother, Rosleigh Rose, will fly back with copies of the photographs allegedly showing her daughter with a drug dealer but which she claims were taken in Kerobokan jail.
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THE mother of drug smuggler Schapelle Corby will travel
to Bali to hand-deliver photographs of her daughter with an alleged
drug dealer to prove they were taken in Keroboken Prison.
Rosleigh Rose obtained the photographs after The Advertiser newspaper in Adelaide was contacted on behalf of one of the men in the pictures, known as "Dave".
One set of the pictures was seized by South Australian police last week.
Indonesian prosecutors have said they may use them to strengthen their appeal for a longer sentence for Corby, currently serving 15 years in Keroboken for smuggling 4kg of marijuana from Australia to Bali.
The prosecutors expected to use the pictures to argue Corby previously associated with drug dealers.
Corby's family have vehemently denied she had any involvement with drugs or drug dealers.
Click Here for Complete Story
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Announcement Dec 2005 - Schapelle Corby Trust Account
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On Schapelle's behalf, a trust account has been established by her mother,
Rosleigh Rose to provide practical support to Schapelle throughout her
detainment in Kerobokan Prison.
We hope that the supporters will continue to support Schapelle in ways
that sustain her, if need be, in the longer term. After all, we don't know
how long it will take for Schapelle to finally return home to Australia.
Your contributions will assist the family in purchasing vital daily
supplies ie: clothing, personal items, sanitary items, medicine and food.
If you require more information then please contact us .
Click Here to contact us for informaiton on how to send donations to Schapelle.
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URGENT APPEAL FROM ROSLEIGH ROSE [CORBY]
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Update 16 Dec 05
FPSS have been notified by Rosleigh Corby that she has been successful in
securing a copy of all the photo's whilst in Adelaide. This was done with
the assistance of the local paper and not the police. Now Hotman will be
able to refute the allegations because the photo's substantiate Rosleigh's
statements that the persons in the photo's were visitors to Kerobokan.
Great news!!!! Well done Rose!
16 December 2005
The mother of Schapelle Corby has requested Foreign Prisoner Support
Service to release the following appeal.
If anyone has any information regarding the photographs that were seized by
South Australian and Queensland Police, that allegedly show Schapelle with
an alleged drug smuggler, could you please contact us immediately. Any
contact will be in the strictest confidence. Similarly, we urge the persons
in the photographs to come forward and assist us in setting the record
straight, for Schapelle's sake.
Don't let an innocent girl suffer anymore
than she has!
Contact FPSS - [click here]
or
Erwin Siregar [Criminal Lawyer]
Kerta Wijaya Shopping Centre
Jl Diponegoro 98 Block C-21
Denpasar
Junior Counsel Mr. Hoposan Sihonding
Junior counsel assisting Erwin Siregar
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November 24, 2005 Update from Mercedes Corby
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Thank you again to everyone for their continued support to Schapelle and to
our family. Sorry we don't have any recent pictures of Schapelle as no
cameras are allowed in the prison.
Schapelle is in good health at the moment and has also been in a good frame
of mind. There are now 14 girls in Schapelle's cell at the moment. (Still
no electricity other then the light that is on 24 hours).
It's very humid here in Bali now as it is the rainy season but Schapelle
seems to be adapting well to the hot weather. This time last year, it was
very very hard for her to sleep in the heat and she needed a hand held fan
with her all day.
Click Here for Complete Story
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Corby's mum has message for Leslie
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The mother of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has urged freed Australian
model Michelle Leslie not to speak harshly about her time spent in a Bali jail for drug offences.
Rosleigh Rose warned Leslie to think carefully before telling her story to the world out of fear any inflammatory comments could jeopardise Australians still on drugs charges in Indonesia. "Hopefully she doesn't say anything about the justice system or anything over there that can ruin it for all the other Australians in Indonesia," Ms Rose said on Tuesday. "They don't like things said about them.
Click Here for Complete Story
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Letter from Schapelle to all the supporters who have written to her
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November 21, 2005
'I would like to thank you for caring as much as you do. It's been the
constant flow of letters of love and care that's enabled not only me, but
my whole family to get through each day, to keep strong. Knowing we have
such great support, we are reassured from countless big-hearted, beautiful
people, that we do have the strength to get through any number of trials,
inevitably to bring me home.
'Someone wrote me : Remember these two things Schapelle... you are stronger
than you think, you are never alone. We can all fight this together, it
feels like we are, and we will win.
'I've been in this cage now for over a year. Thanks to your support and
prayers, I know that every day does come to an end. Tomorrow's always a new
day.
Thank you
Schapelle.
Be positive :-)
2005
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Schapelle's cell conditions worsen
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CONDITIONS in Schapelle Corby's jail cell have worsened, prompting her family to describe them as "disgusting".
There are now 13 prisoners in cell No.7 at Bali's Kerobokan prison, including convicted drug smuggler Corby.
When she was first transferred from the stinking cell at Polda police station earlier this year, the cell had eight inmates and Corby said that number was hard to deal with, especially after the daily 4.30pm lockdown.
Within weeks, it was home to 11 prisoners and Corby said there was almost constant movement to and from the basic toilet attached to the cell. "There are people coming and going all the time and it's in that area where I had my little stove set up, but I've stopped cooking for now, I'm over it," she said.
Corby's sister Mercedes said the number had risen to 13 - crammed into the cell measuring just 4m by 3m.
Click Here for Complete Story
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Schapelle Corby Update 12 October 2005
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Schapelle's 20 sentence has been cut today to 15 years
'Our thoughts and prayers are with Schapelle and the Corby family. This is
not the end. We will just keep fighting till Schapelle comes home' says
Human Rights and family advocate Kay Danes. 'Hotman Hutapea and his team
have made excellent representations to the Indonesian authorities on
Schapelle's behalf. They have faced many difficult challenges but have
never faltered or given up the fight to free Schapelle. I hope that all
her supporters will be encouraged by their dedication and commitment to
securing an innocent girl's freedom. I hope they will all keep campaigning
to bring Schapelle home!'
'We will fight till she is out' says Mercedes - 12 Oct 2005
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Update September 28, 2005
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Dear Supporters,
Schapelle and our family would like to thank all of the sites for the
support you have shown. We appreciate all those who have written to
Schapelle, wrote to the government, rallied and given donations at what
has been an extremely distressing time for Schapelle and our family and
friends. We appreciate your continued support and hope you will understand
that we are unable to contact and thank people individually.
To everyone working on the websites, we thank you very much and appreciate
all your hard work and support.
It helps Schapelle be stronger knowing that she has so many who support
her, thank you.
Thanks,
Mercedes
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Update September 21, 2005
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The following letter has been sent to all supporters from Schapelle.
'I would like to thank you for caring as much as you do. It's been the
constant flow of letters of love and care that's enabled not only me, but
my whole family, to get through each day, to keep strong. Knowing we have
such great support, we are reassured from countless big hearted, beautiful
people that we do have the strength to get through any number of trials,
inevitably to bring me home.
Someone wrote me, "Remember these two things Schapelle:
- You are stronger than you think
- You are never alone."
We can all fight this together. It feels like we are, and we will win. I've
been in this cage now for almost one year. It started October the 8th,
2004. Thanks for your support and prayers. I know that every day does come
to an end. Tomorrow's always a new day.
Thank you
Schapelle
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** Schapelle Corby Rally SUCCESS **
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The RALLY for Schapelle Corby held on Sunday 10 July at Gold Coast was
well attended by supporters. Clearly there are many Australians who are
concerned with the ongoing detainment of Schapelle Corby in Kerobokan Prison.
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** Schapelle Corby's Appeal**
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With the appeal pending at the High Court in Bali, it is imperative that
all supporters get behind Schapelle to lobby the Australian Government to
continue its support and bring her home.
Please do not sit and do nothing while this young girl is left to rot in a
prison that is appalling by anyone's standards.
Write now to your Federal Member of Parliament and seek their immediate
action to raise your concerns to the Australian Federal government.
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MAY 27TH 2005 - SCHAPELLE SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS!!
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BALI, Indonesia (Reuters) - An Indonesian court on today sentenced Australian beauty therapist Schapelle Corby to 20 years in jail for trying to smuggle 4.1 kg (9 lb) of marijuana into Bali, triggering outrage from her family and friends.
"The panel of judges declares the defendant legally and convincingly guilty of the crime of illegal importation of narcotics," judge Linton Sirait told a hearing watched live across Australia, where the case has transfixed the nation.
Prosecutors had demanded life in jail for Corby, 27, who has repeatedly argued the drugs found by airport officials in her unlocked bag on the famous holiday island last year were not hers and that they were planted.
Corby's family said they would appeal.
The F.P.S.S and it's members send hope and support to Schapelle and her family at this shocking time. The Corby Family has thanked the Australian public for their support and asks that Australian's do NOT boycot Bali as this would only serve to punish the people of Bali.
Click Here for Complete Story
Transcript of Schapelle Corby Verdict
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FREEDOM IS A RIGHT OF ALL HUMAN BEINGS IN A WORLD WHERE LIFE IS VALUED AND PEACE MAY FINALLY BE A POSSABILITY
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Just in case you forgot - read the Universal declaration of Human Rights
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