An extraordinary drama is gripping Australia as a woman fights for her life in a Balinese court against a backdrop of conflicting emotions and suspicions, drug syndicates, diplomatic relations and even natural disaster.

Schapelle Corby, a 27-year-old student of beauty therapy, faces charges of drug trafficking that, if proven, could put her in front of a firing squad. In jail since October last year, Corby is now awaiting a verdict after her defence wrapped up its case in sensational style this week.

Corby's plight is far from unique: three Australians have been executed in Asia for trafficking in drugs, others have a death sentence hovering over their heads, and most of the almost 200 Australians at present in foreign jails are there because of narcotics.

But Corby has touched the Australian psyche, generating an increasing tide of public and media support, convincing a Gold Coast millionaire to bankroll her defence, generating expressions of sympathy from Prime Minister John Howard, and prompting intervention at senior Government levels.

The case has also elicited unusual public comment by the Australian Federal Police, prompted an investigation into a hitherto unsuspected domestic drug route through the nation's airports, and publicly identified its alleged ringleader - who, in reply, appeared on television on Thursday night to deny the charges, reportedly for a fee of A$15,000 ($16,200).

On the internet, three websites have been created to champion Corby's freedom, and opinion in online forums is overwhelmingly in her favour.

Such has been the strength of feeling in Australia that the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra - disturbed by what has been emerging as a popular assault on the integrity of its country's justice system - issued a press statement warning that "trial by press and insisting on hearsay evidence will only weaken Ms Corby's case".

The bare facts of the case are simple. Corby arrived at Bali's Denpasar airport last October for a holiday with her sister Mercedes, who is married to an Indonesian and lives on the island.

With her she carried a boogie board, packed in a protective cover. When customs officers opened the cover, they found a large package containing 4.1kg of cannabis. Corby readily admitted that it was her luggage, but vehemently denied any knowledge of the illicit cargo. Corby has since been in custody in Krobokan prison, charged with trafficking.

Under Indonesian law this crime ranks with the assassination of the President, terrorism, piracy causing death and premeditated murder.

Amnesty International last year estimated that at least 30 prisoners were on death row for drug-related crimes, including 20 foreigners. Last year, an Indian and two Thais were executed for trafficking, a fate that Corby could also face if convicted.

Her defence rests on the claim that the drugs were planted in her bag by a syndicate that used airport staff to stuff illicit consignments into the luggage of unsuspecting passengers after it had been checked in, and remove it at the other end before the bags were collected.