Corby wails over life sentence demand

DENPASAR - A distraught Schapelle Corby screamed and cried after Balinese prosecutors asked an Indonesian court to convict her and jail her for life.

Although she had dodged the possibility of being condemned to death, Corby was in tears as Prosecutor I. Bagus Wiswantanu addressed the Denpasar District Court.

The court adjourned her trial until next week, when her defence team is expected to make a submission.

When the proceedings ended, Corby turned and walked to her sister Mercedes and the pair hugged, both weeping.

"It's not fair," the distraught Corby said as Mercedes told her it would be "okay".

Corby was then walked to a holding cell at the rear of the court where she sat wailing in a high-pitched scream as she was hugged by her cousin from Perth, Melissa Younger.

Wiswantanu told the court that Corby, arrested at Denpasar airport last year, should be found guilty of importing 4.2kg of marijuana.

He said the case against her was "convincing" but, as expected, did not ask that the Gold Coast woman be sentenced to death.

"The defendant's actions can ruin the image of Bali as a tourist destination," Wiswantanu told the trial's three-judge panel, who must ultimately determine Corby's fate. "The defendant's actions can make Bali look like a drug haven and affect young people's lives."

Wiswantanu also asked the three judges to impose a 100 million rupiah ($14,282) fine.

Corby maintains she is not guilty. She told relatives later that the prosecutor's demand was "not fair".

In Indonesia, a life sentence means a prisoner spends the rest of his or her life behind bars.

The submission by the prosecution is only a recommendation. It will be up to the judges to determine Corby's guilt or innocence and impose any sentence. They are not expected to hand down a verdict for several weeks.

Corby's cell was surrounded by scores of camera operators, although a heavy police presence ensured the chaos of last week's court appearance was not repeated.

The former Gold Coast beauty student was later taken back to Bali's main prison.

Hours earlier, she arrived at the court in a police bus, emerging from the vehicle in handcuffs.

She was flanked by 10 Indonesian police officers as she slowly made her way through a chaotic media scrum to a holding cell next to the court.

Corby looked weak and at times held her hands together as if she was praying. She kept her head down and did not reply to questions shouted at her by reporters.

On her two previous court appearances this month, proceedings had to be postponed after she complained of being sick.

Last week, she fainted in the crowded court and earlier this week underwent court-ordered medical tests.

Defence lawyer Lely Lubis said a doctor had given Corby a tranquiliser to help her get through yesterday's hearing.

Corby's family has repeatedly raised concerns about her mental condition because of the stress of the high-profile trial.

- AAP