Australians should be sensible over Corby: Jakarta

ABC News

Indonesia's Foreign Ministry says Australians should be level-headed in expressing their feelings over Schapelle Corby's 20-year jail sentence for drug-smuggling.

Last Friday, a Denpasar court found the 27-year-old Gold Coast woman guilty of trying to smuggle more than four kilograms of marijuana and sentenced her to 20 years in jail.

Charities have reported an angry backlash over the verdict, with some people demanding the return of donations to help victims of the Indonesian tsunami.

A spokesman for the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Marty Natalegawa, says Australians should respect Indonesia's courts.

"The outpouring of sympathy should be expressed within the context of respect for the independence of the judiciary in Indonesia," Mr Natalegawa said.

"We find it baffling that some, not all, have called for a boycott of Indonesia and have even linked the case to the tsunami tragedy.

"It is important that we play Corby's case within its proper context."

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has warned that any backlash against Indonesia as a result of Corby's guilty verdict will not help her return to Australia.

Mr Downer says he has spoken with Indonesia's Foreign Minister about the progress of a prisoner exchange program between the two countries since the verdict.

He says it would not be helpful if Corby's supporters boycott Indonesia.

"If they are champions for Schapelle Corby, she's being held in Indonesia, and if they want her back in Australia, ultimately any decisions about her future will be in the hands of the Indonesians," he said.

"So continuing to berate and denigrate Indonesia isn't going to help anybody in this case."