Law Council angered by AFP comments on Corby case

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ABC Tanya Nolan
ABC Radio - AM - Thursday,
12 May , 2005  08:12:00
Reporter: Tanya Nolan

TONY EASTLEY introduction: As Schapelle Corby's defence team prepares for what could be its last opportunity to plead her innocence to an Indonesian court, a row has broken out between the Law Council and the Australian Federal Police over the case. 

Law Council president John North has accused AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty of potentially jeopardising Ms Corby's chance of a fair trial, after Mr Keelty's comments that a key aspect of her defence is not supported by AFP intelligence.   

Tanya Nolan reports. 

TANYA NOLAN: The row was sparked by the discovery of a $30 million cocaine importing syndicate. As one of the 12 men charged in connection with the ring applied for bail in a Sydney court yesterday, the Australian Federal Police tendered an explosive brief. It alleged that corrupt baggage handlers at Sydney's international airport were paid $300,000 to help smuggle a briefcase containing nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine. The date of the alleged incident was October the 8th last year – the same day Schapelle Corby's infamous boogie board bag was checked through the same airport on the way to Bali. 

Ms Corby's lawyers say the coincidence props up a key element of their defence that baggage handlers planted the 4.1 kilograms of marijuana in her bag But AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty has criticised the leaking of the latest allegations surrounding baggage handlers, and while acknowledging the dangers in commenting on a trial that is ongoing, he told ABC local radio in Canberra that Ms Corby's defence is flimsy. 

MICK KEELTY: There is very little intelligence to suggest that baggage handlers are using innocent people to traffic heroin or other drugs between states. 

TANYA NOLAN: Those comments have enraged Ms Corby's lawyers, who accuse the Commissioner of having a vendetta against the Queensland woman. The man funding her defence, Ron Bakir, says they are looking at what action can be taken against the Commissioner. 

RON BAKIR: It's an absolute disgrace. The Federal Police are highly regarded in Indonesia, and for the top cop to come out and make comments like he's made, he might as well be the prosecutor. 

TANYA NOLAN: President of the Law Council of Australia, John North, is equally strident in his criticism of Mr Keelty. 

JOHN NORTH: He's commented on a trial that is still in progress. He would not do this in Australia, and it is possible that the news will be communicated to Indonesia and could affect her trial. 

TANYA NOLAN: Mr North says the Commissioner should be censured for his comments, but Mick Keelty this morning wasn't resiling from them. And Justice Minister Chris Ellison is supporting the Commissioner, telling Channel Nine that there is no evidence of any link between the cases. 

CHRIS ELLISON: There is an investigation which dealt with alleged international operation involving trafficking of cocaine into Australia. An investigation of that does not reveal any connection with the Schapelle Corby case or the Bali Nine. 

TANYA NOLAN: The Sydney Airport Corporation has announced a $2.8 million security upgrade, and the Federal Government is considering legislation to improve security in the baggage handling area of airports, but says it would need the cooperation of the States and Territories to be effective.

Source File: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1367014.htm


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Scrutiny for baggage handlers 
By Neil McMahon, Joseph Kerr and Matthew Moore 
May 12, 2005
In a statement yesterday, Qantas's chief executive, Geoff Dixon, said the airline regretted some of its baggage staff were alleged to be involved in drug smuggling. "Despite the actions of a few, we believe our operational and security procedures to be amongst the world's best."
 Source click here