Howard hopes justice is done in Corby case

Australian Prime Minister John Howard says he feels for accused drug trafficker Schapelle Corby, who collapsed in a Bali court on Thursday.

The Denpasar District Court had expected to hear if prosecutors wanted Corby to get the death penalty if convicted of smuggling 4.1kg of marijuana into Bali last October.

The 27-year-old former beauty student from the Gold Coast arrived at the court handcuffed to an Indonesian female prisoner and fainted in the court shortly after. "I feel for anybody who is under the sort of stress she is under," Howard told Sky News.

He said he hoped Corby was treated fairly and decently and said Australia had to have faith in the Indonesian justice system. "I don't know the circumstances of the case, that is a matter for the courts, I am not in possession of all the facts," he said.

"I just hope justice is done and she is treated fairly and decently. We have to have faith in the Indonesian justice system because that is the system that is trying her."

Howard said Australia had made its opposition to the death penalty clear and said it was "desirable" offenders convicted overseas served out their sentences in their home countries.

"That applies in all cases, whether it is Indonesia or any other country," Howard said. Although there was understandably a lot of interest in the case, Australians must respect the processes of the Indonesian justice system, he said.

Meanwhile, an envelope containing bullets was sent to the Indonesian consulate in Perth on Monday, with a letter warning staff would be killed unless Corby was freed.

"The threats which have been made to the Indonesian consulate in Perth are outrageous, they are un-Australian," Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison told reporters.

"We want to give an assurance to the Indonesian Government that we will make every effort possible to bring to justice those responsible for that act," Ellison said.

Yuri Thain, a Foreign Ministry spokesman in Jakarta, said Indonesia was concerned by the threat. "We have asked our citizens in Australia and our diplomatic staff to increase their awareness and to take precautions," Thain said.

Corby's case has made front-page headlines in Australia and comes at a time of improved relations between Australia and Indonesia.

Analysts have warned of a public backlash that would seriously damage that new relationship if the death penalty was carried out.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said during a visit to Australia he was watching the case closely.

Australian police would not detail the threat but said "ammunition" was found in an envelope with a threatening letter to harm consul staff .

The Australian reported on Wednesday the envelope contained two bullets and the letter said: "If Schapelle Corby is not released immediately you will all receive one of these bullets through the brain. All Indonesians out now - go home you animals."

Corby's sister Mercedes said the accused woman's health was deteriorating. The head judge warned her against feigning illness but Mercedes said there was no way Schapelle was faking her collapse.

"Everyone could see what happened," she said. "Even I can hardly breathe when I'm walking with her. It's so humid and hot.

"I don't think people really imagine what she's going through. She's deteriorating. It's day by day."

- AAP