Hope for Corby as Indonesia examines transfer deal

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked his ministers to study the possibility of signing a prisoner exchange agreement with Australia.

Such a deal might allow Schapelle Corby, who was sentenced last month to 20 years in prison in Bali, to serve time in her homeland.

"The President assigned the Foreign Minister and other concerned ministers to look into the possibility of Australia and Indonesia signing a prisoner exchange agreement," Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said.

Such an agreement would require Indonesia to amend its criminal code, which stipulates that foreigners convicted of a crime in Indonesia serve their sentences in the country.