Bali, Go Fuck Yourself
Once again, the judicial system somewhere in the world proves yet again what a monumental fuck up it is.
Schapelle Corby has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for a crime she didn't commit.
October 2004 saw Schapelle leaving Australia for a trip to Bali. All of her luggage was weighed and put on the aeroplane. Upon arrival in Bali, as she was collecting her luggage, she noticed that her boogie board didn't look quite right, so she opened up the case it was in where she was hit with a wave of marijuana scented air.
Closing the bag, she looked to officials but it was too late. They'd smelled it too and she was subsequently arrested for smuggling in 4.1 kilos of marijuana into Bali. A very serious offence: often punishable by death.
Brisbane airport have sent a legal letter stating Schapelle Corby's bag was x-rayed whilst in holding, she did not have access to the bag again until after she landed in Bali. The bag was cleared for any prohibited contents and then transferred from Brisbane to Bali, via Sydney. Yet, somehow, criminal mastermind that this young beauty school student is, Schapelle Corby was able to go down into the cargo hold of an aeroplane while it was flying to Bali, pull over 8 pounds of marijuana out of thin air and then stuff it into the case holding her boogie board as no one would ever think to look there......
Australian Federal Police (AFP) requested a sample of the weed she was caught with so they could determine where it was grown yet the Indonesian Police would not comply as they say they have tested it. They said it is "marijuana" and that is all the information they require.
The AFP then requested to fingerprint the plastic bag the weed was contained in but the Indonesian Police have advised this is not possible as it has all their fingerprints over it.
Seems the Indonesian police are clever enough to finger a criminal drug trafficking genius, but they still forgot to wear gloves while handling evidence.
Schapelle's lawyers demanded video footage from Bali airport, allegedly showing Schapelle attempting to stop the custom officer from unzipping her bag. The footage was not produced.
A statement from an unknown source supports that Schapelle Corby is a victim of an Australian drug trafficking ring, which included airport baggage handlers and yet still, Schapelle is left to rot in an Indonesian prison cell.
There is even a discrepancy in the weight of her luggage leaving Australia and the weight as it arrived in Bali. She's tested negative for drugs.
People, do yourself a favour: LOCK your baggage before you put it on an aeroplane. ENSURE that NO ONE can compromise your luggage and that only YOU have the ability to get into your own luggage.
The next time a tsunami hits Indonesian shores or there's a terrorist attack, instead of digging into my pockets and donating to the disadvantaged, I'm going to stand facing the north, wave, flip Bali my middle finger and think about the unfortunate circumstances that Schapelle Corby now finds herself in due to the inadequate procedures carried out by the Indonesian police and judicial system.
Posted By: Lint | 10:08 AM | Current Events
Comments
I saw the verdict on TV today. I was absolutely devastated and my heart goes out to Shapelle and her family. I hear an appeal is on the way as are negotiations for prisoner transfers. I hope all goes well for her and I don't plan on travelling to Bali or anywhere like that for a long, long time.
Posted by: Amelia | May 27, 2005 11:35 AM
G'day... just happened to be 'lurking' in your neighbourhood, saw the light was on, thought i'd pop in for a bit ;)
the corby case is amazing... such a terrible miscarriage of justice! and a warning to anyone traveling to bali/indonesia - you cannot be careful enough to ensure your baggage is tamper-proof.
we've been watching the news cats this evening of schapelle recieving the verdict... it's so incredibly heartbreaking. can only pray that the appeals process rights this wrong.
... and on a personal note - thank you for the comment you left yesterday :)
kind regards to you.
Posted by: Jay | May 27, 2005 03:22 PM
how the government can do nothing is beyond me.....asinine....I feel so terrible for this poor girl...wonder what kind of jail time a rapist would get....
Posted by: thordora | May 27, 2005 07:12 PM
God, that's horrific. It seems to me like this should be a larger diplomatic issue for the Aussie's. What kind of government would allow one of it's citizens to have their rights so completely violated? Not that America's one to talk...
Posted by: meghan | May 28, 2005 12:55 AM
that is major fucked up.
i dont know about bali, but in the U.S. drug dealing (not sure about posession) = more jail time than rape.
Posted by: stacee | May 28, 2005 01:03 AM
I am SHOCKED, but yet not totally surprised to read this. It's just WAY too sad, and if there is anyone that can be written to, or if there is anything an ordinary person can do, please let me know. IT SUCKSSSSS!!!!
Posted by: Last Girl On Earth | May 28, 2005 05:57 AM
im really sorry for her :\ i hope she could get out of this shit as soon as possible...
Posted by: dixler | May 28, 2005 05:47 PM
I agree with your post one hundred percent. This was an obvious mis-carriage of justice.
Posted by: Jack Jones | May 29, 2005 12:12 AM
I was devastated with the decision-A miscarriage of justice..I was just thinkin gof going to Bali for holidays. Guess I may not go now...
Posted by: Pebbles | May 30, 2005 09:13 AM
I totally agree with ur entry-a clear miscarriage of justice.Its pathetic. Seriously I din study law to see this...
I was planning to go to Bali for holidays..Guess i won't go now..
Posted by: Pebbles | May 30, 2005 09:20 AM
I do empathize with Ms Corby and feel with the rest of Australia. While everyone is pointing the finger at the Indonesian government, no one seem to be holding the authorities back in Australia responsible for allowing a major drug trafficking ring to apparently flourish under the noses of custom officers. Isn't this much worse than whatever injustice that purportedly has taken place in Indonesia?
Posted by: the Bloke | May 30, 2005 09:44 AM
Errrr they are now. Can't really fight something till you're aware that it's there and once the Australian authorities were aware, they went in and arrests were made.
It's like changing a baby's diaper before it pees or shits. Kinda pointless really.
Posted by: Deb | May 30, 2005 09:47 AM
Being so near to Indonesia, Australia is one of the countries providing the most aid for tsunami relief, yet they get kicked in the face like this and will be asked for more help later, I'm sure. What a very sad, primitive legal system they have in Indonesia. I hope Schapelle, and the others like her who have been framed, see the light of day soon.
I think next time Indonesia screams "Help, Volcano/Earthquake/Tsunami!" the rest of the world should seriously think before opening the checkbook.
Posted by: Windigo | May 30, 2005 10:32 AM
I am shocked by this. What a terrible miscarriage of justice.
Side note: thanks for stopping by my journal and thanks for your lovely words.
Posted by: Girl, Interrupted | May 30, 2005 12:52 PM
I know many friends in Australia who are up in arms about this whole debacle. It's no wonder that Australia is threatening to boycott all travel to Bali.
Posted by: mojo shivers | May 30, 2005 12:54 PM
Well said! After all that the world's done for Indonesia, now this.
Posted by: Mizchelle | May 30, 2005 02:16 PM
While I grieve for her situation, I think it might be a bit harsh to wish destruction and devastation on millions of people who live in poor countries but are not personally keeping her hostage. The government is responsible and reprehensible, but let's not blame it on the little guy. Tsunamis are no laughing matter.
Posted by: Jay | May 30, 2005 11:59 PM
I didn't wish devastation and destruction on them :O I just said next time it happens I won't be donating.
There's a difference...
Posted by: Deb | May 31, 2005 12:02 AM
Horrible. Of course that same government thinks nothing of accepting millions of dollars in aid from the same governments they won't cooperate with.
Posted by: Riss | May 31, 2005 01:38 AM
Bali probably has some of that ring in their own customs, which is why they're so quick to lay the blame on her. Because I'm sure this is not the first "add-on" from Australia -- she's just the first one to discover it.
The Bali government should be held responsible. Perhaps Amnesty International is getting involved? I'll have to check.
Posted by: Michelle | May 31, 2005 09:40 AM
That is so upsetting, How can they convict her on such evidence. I must admit I would think twice about travelling to anywhere like that now. I hope she gets her appeal and gets her freedom soon.
Posted by: Sarah | May 31, 2005 03:29 PM