World

Australian woman gets 20 years for smuggling pot into Bali

Indonesian prosecutors to appeal 20-year prison sentence of an Australian woman convicted of smuggling pot.

Prosecutors will appeal the 20-year prison sentence of an Australian woman who was convicted of smuggling 4.1 kilograms of marijuana onto Indonesia's Bali island last October.

Schapelle Corby, 27, who was facing the death penalty, wept as she received her prison sentence Friday, along with a $10,500 US fine.

But prosecutors, who had requested a life sentence, said they will appeal, arguing the sentence is too lenient.

Corby's mother had to be restrained as the sentence was read "Liar! Liar," she yelled out.

Other relatives shouted: "We are going to get you home! We love you!"

Corby turned to her parents and mouthed, "Just relax. It's OK."

The case has captured the attention of Australia. The country's prime minister expressed sympathy for Corby but urged Australians to remain calm following the decision.

"Guilty or innocent, I feel for this young woman," Prime Minister John Howard said. "I ask that we all pause and understand the situation and recognize and respect that when we visit other countries we are subject to the laws and rules of those countries."

"We have neither the power nor the right to intervene."

Corby, a beauty school student, was arrested in October after airport authorities found marijuana in her surfboard bag as she arrived on Bali for a family holiday.

Her lawyers allege the drugs were planted in her bag by airport baggage handlers in Australia as part of a drug-smuggling operation.

Judge Wayan Suastrawan noted that customs officers testified that Corby looked "nervous" and "tried not to open the bag" when asked to by customs officials.

With files from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.