One of Bali’s most high-profile drug convicts is preparing for a bittersweet farewell from the country after making a home in Kuta since being released from prison.
Australian Schapelle Corby, who was dubbed ‘marijuana queen’ by Bali press, will be deported from Indonesia on Saturday, May 27, following the end of her parole period.
Tribun Bali reports Corby cried when visiting with authorities who said she is unable to return to Indonesia. She has made the resort island her home after parole restrictions kept her in Bali for regular check-ins with authorities.
Surung Pasaribu, the Head of Bali Corrections, hinted arranging a return to Indonesia for Corby would depend on the Australian government.
“She told me she is afraid of the media,” Bali Immigration Office Head Muhammad Natsir said, as reported by Fairfax. “She is overweight now, because she is afraid to go outside.”
Corby lives in a villa with her brother, Michael, who has taken to wearing a mask when he leaves the house to avoid the building media swarm.
She was paroled in February 2014 after spending nine years behind bars at Bali’s notorious Kerobokan Prison. She was arrested carrying 4.1 kilograms of marijuana in her bag when arriving from Australia at Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar, in October 2004.