The Indonesian Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin announced Corby’s parole had been approved in a press conference in Jakarta this evening.
He said Corby was one of 1571 parole applicants he had considered and approved but stressed that she was not receiving any sort of special treatment.
“Parole is not a generosity from the government, it is a right stated in our government regulations,” he said. “We have to oblige as long as all the requirements are fulfilled.”
It had been speculated that Corby could be freed as early as this afternoon but Indonesian bureaucracy is believed to have made this impossible. Corby’s paperwork must be signed by several different departments, all of whom have already shut for the weekend and will not reopen until Monday. She is expected to finally be freed early next week.
Corby will have to sign a strict parole agreement, which will reportedly state that she must remain in Bali for two years, living in her sister Mercedes’ Kuta compound with Mercedes’ husband and three young children.
Schapelle is believed to be planning to work at Mercedes’ swimwear shop.
