link to an online petition calling for the release of Schapelle Corby can be found at :
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/corby
Some Info About Schapelle Corby:
Schapelle Corby is a 27 year old trainee beauty therapist from the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia. Corby was arrested on October 8, 2004 for allegedly trying to smuggle 4.1 kg of marijuana from Australia to Bali, Indonesia. Indonesian customs officials at Denpasar Airport searched her boogie board bag and located the marijuana.
Corby, who has maintained her innocence throughout, is currently being tried in a Bali Court. If found guilty Corby may be sentenced to death by firing squad.
John Patrick Ford, a remand prisoner in Victoria, Australia, has given evidence in Corby's defence. Following communication from Corby's legal team and the Australian government, the Indonesia government made a request under the Mutual Assistance Treaty for Ford to be transported to Indonesia to give evidence.
Ford stated that he overheard a conversation within a prison between two men and alleges one of the men planted the marijuana in Corby's boogie board bag in Brisbane with the intent of having another person remove it in Sydney. Ford went on to state that a simple mix up resulted in the marijuana not being removed and subsequently being transported to Indonesia, all without Corby's knowledge. Once in Indonesia the marijuana was quickly located by Indonesian customs officials.
Ford stated that the drugs were owned by Ron Vigenser who had been a prisoner at the same jail as Ford (but was recently released) but has refused to name the man who he states planted the drugs for fear that he, and possibly Corby, would be killed if he did so. Vigenser has strenuously denied any connection with the drugs in the Australian media and has reportedly given a statement to the Australian Federal Police.
A Gold Coast business man, Ron Bakir, is funding a significant part of Corby's defence out of his own pocket. Bakir has no relationship to Corby other than being from the same city. Bakir reportedly decided to assist in funding Corby's defence due to his belief that a miscarriage of justice could occur if she was not properly represented.
Many commentators in the media have raised concerns relating to the slow speed in which the Australian government responded to requests for assistance from Corby's legal team. The Australian government has responded by stating that support was given rapidly and that it was the legal team that has at times been slow to act.
The possibility that marijuana is being regularly smuggled between Australian cities in the baggage of innocent people has raised concerns relating to security at Australian airports. Some commentators have pointed out that a bomb could be hidden in a piece of luggage as easily as a package of marijuana.
Belief in Corby's innocence is reportedly widespread in the Australian population. Media interest in the case is widespread.