'Half truths' used to obtain warrant for AFP raids over Schapelle Corby interview deal: Seven

 

7th March 2014

ABC

Lawyers for Channel Seven have told the Federal Court that misleading statements and half truths were used to obtain a warrant for last month's raid on its Sydney offices by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The raids were launched as investigators searched for confirmation of a lucrative interview deal between the network and Bali drug smuggler Schapelle Corby.

Seven's parent company, Seven West Media, and Corby's sister Mercedes are suing the AFP over the raids.

About a dozen AFP officers raided Seven's office in Pyrmont on February 18. Officers also went to Seven's nearby base at Eveleigh.

The legal action was launched after the AFP apologised for what it described as a clerical error in the documentation for the raid.

An AFP document submitted to secure the search warrant mistakenly included a paragraph from a separate and unrelated criminal matter.

Seven West Media told the Federal Court today the warrant to raid the Sydney offices authorised the frisking and fingerprinting of individuals and the use of force to seize documents.

"They authorised what would otherwise be assault and battery," said Seven West Media's barrister Andrew Bell.

"Great powers come with great responsibilities."

More details about the exclusive contract between Seven and Mercedes Corby also emerged.

The court heard that under the deal, Seven agreed to cover costs for accomodation, transport and security after Schapelle Corby was released on parole from Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison.