The Sydney Morning Herald: April 8, 2005 - 6:58AM
Federal Justice Minister Chris Ellison has asked the
Indonesian government not to seek the death penalty if a Bali court delivers a
guilty verdict against accused drug smuggler Schapelle Corby.
The 27-year-old former beauty student from the Gold
Coast faces possible death by firing squad after being caught with 4.1kg of
high-grade cannabis in her unlocked bodyboard bag at Bali airport last October.
The trial was yesterday adjourned until April 14
after Corby said she was too sick to continue this week.
"I
indicated to the Indonesian attorney-general that Australia was opposed to the
death penalty and that in the event of Schapelle Corby being found guilty that
we would plead with the Indonesian government that the death penalty not be
sought," Senator Ellison told ABC radio.
"At
this stage of the court proceedings I understand there is an avenue for the
attorney-general in Indonesia to make representations to the prosecution in the
preparation of their submission on sentencing."
Senator
Ellison said he believed Mr Abdurrahman had listened carefully to his argument.
"I
believe that the Indonesian government are treating this seriously," he
said.
"I
believe they understand the concern that many Australians hold in relation to
this matter.
"But we must remember that this is a court
proceeding which is pending in an Indonesian court and I stressed to the
attorney-general that we fully respected the judicial process.
"And, as I said to Schapelle Corby's lawyers I
would not be making any request of the attorney-general which was an improper
request or an inappropriate one having regard to the laws of Indonesia."
Senator Ellison said he had secured support from the
Indonesian Justice Minister to start talks about putting in place an agreement
to allow the transfer of prisoners.
This would allow Corby, if she was found guilty and
given a prison sentence, to serve her sentence in Australia.
"We will be having our officials visit
Indonesia to work on this and progress it," he said.
"I'm very keen that it be put in place as soon
as possible."