Schapelle Corby interview still out of bounds despite sister's plea to minister
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Version 0 of 1. Mercedes Corby has visited Jakarta to seek ministerial permission for her sister to do a lucrative TV interview, and has been officially rejected. The Seven Network is expected to pay a seven-figure sum for the story of Schapelle Corby’s nine-year imprisonment in Bali for drug-smuggling, something she has always denied. But Indonesian justice officials say the interview was likely to end her parole, which took effect when she left Kerobokan jail last week amid chaotic scenes. Mercedes and husband Wayan Widyartha have been waging a campaign to get the green light for Corby’s interview. This week, the couple apparently visited Jakarta, where they visited the corrections directorate general but didn’t get the answer they were looking for. They then tried to meet the justice minister, Amir Syamsuddin, who granted Corby’s parole, but were only able to leave a letter for him. Syamsuddin told reporters on Friday the advice to Corby couldn’t be clearer. “What’s with Corby?” he said. “It’s clear what the corrections board in Bali has answered to their letter, and that’s what’s correct. The corrections board has rejected it. “It’s much better that she realises that her status remains as a prisoner while she’s enjoying parole.” Mercedes’ visit to Jakarta comes after Bali parole board boss Ketut Artha said he had also received a visit from Wayan, and told him in no uncertain terms the TV deal was “impossible”. He says Wayan then said he would go higher. The parole boss said he was frustrated by the situation, feeling his job was on the line. Since her release, Corby has been locked down in a luxury Bali villa where Seven Network staff are also staying, with their exclusive interview in limbo. |