SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Corby edges closer to Bali parole decision

Schapelle Corby's case for parole has been heard behind closed doors, but Indonesian authorities won't reveal if it recommended in her favour.

Australian Schapelle Corby inside the Kerobokan Prison in Denpasar
Schapelle Corby. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Schapelle Corby's case for parole has been heard behind closed doors by Indonesian authorities, who won't reveal if it recommended her release from a Bali jail.

The parole hearing was the last major hurdle for the 36-year-old convicted drug smuggler before her probable release from Kerobokan Prison.

Akbar, a spokesman for the Indonesian Corrections Directorate General, confirmed on Monday the hearing had taken place in Jakarta last week.

"Yes, the parole hearing has been conducted, last week, on Thursday to be exact," he told reporters.

"But we can't tell the result yet. Let's wait."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Corby was not present at the hearing.

The decision to grant parole rests with Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin.

If the recommendation was in favour of parole, and it is approved, Corby could be released within days, after more than nine years behind bars.

Mr Syamsuddin has already said publicly he could see no reason why Corby's parole bid should be rejected.

She has already been issued a passport and approval from the Indonesian immigration department to serve out her sentence in her sister Mercedes' Kuta home.

Corby was caught in 2004 attempting to smuggle more than four kilograms of marijuana into Bali in a bodyboard bag.

Her 20-year sentence was slashed by five years after Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last year granted her clemency on humanitarian grounds.

Hopes for Corby's parole were raised last month, when a French drug smuggler was freed to serve his parole in Jakarta after more than 14 years in jail.

Like Corby, Michael Blanc, 40, has always maintained his innocence.

Blanc was arrested the day after Christmas in 1999 at Bali's airport with 3.8 kilograms of hash hidden in diving canisters, which he says a friend gave him to transport.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world