Australian drug smuggler devastates by Indonesian court’s decision

Convicted Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was devastated by an Indonesian court's decision to shave five years from her 20-year prison sentence, saying she shouldn't have to spend even one day in jail, her lawyer said Thursday. Officials at Bali's high court have not yet formally announced their ruling, saying they would do so on Friday. But lawyer Erwin Siregar said judges had decided to uphold a lower court's guilty verdict, while reducing her sentence.

"She is so upset, she is crying and crying," Siregar said after meeting with Corby, 28, at a Bali prison. "She said, 'Why did the judge make that decision? I'm innocent."'

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said earlier he was aware of the ruling, but that it was "a matter for the courts." Corby was sentenced in May to 20 years in prison for smuggling 4.2 kilograms (9 pounds) of marijuana onto the Indonesian resort island of Bali. After hearing the high court's decision, Siregar said Corby told him: "I'm innocent. Why should I spend even one day in jail? ... Go immediately to the Supreme Court to file another appeal."

Corby's sister, Mercedes, told reporters before entering the prison to be with her sister that she wished the Australian government would do more. "Why don't they help?" she asked. Corby's defense team claims she was probably a victim of a domestic drug ring involving corrupt Australian baggage handlers who allegedly failed to retrieve the planted marijuana before Corby's bags were transferred to an international flight, repoprts the AP. I.L.