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AFP drops investigation into Seven’s Schapelle Corby interview

seven-raid1The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has dropped its investigation into the Seven Network’s interview with Schapelle Corby, although they have not ruled out the possibility a transaction could have occurred.

Last month the AFP carried out raids at Seven West Media’s offices in Pyrmont and Eveleigh in search of evidence of an agreement to pay Schapelle and breaching the Proceeds of Crime Act that prevents criminals from profiting from their crime. However the AFP turned up only one document and Seven West Media filed legal action against them over the raids.

Seven was rumoured to have paid the convicted drug smuggler $1m to $3m for exclusive interview rights after Sunday Night reporter Mike Willesee was seen whisking her off to a secret location following her release from prison in Bali last month.

While Seven has not aired a direct interview with Schapelle it did screen a fly-on-the-wall film of her first moments of freedom, and an interview with sister Mercedes, which angered Indonesian authorities who threatened to revoke the parole.

The AFP confirmed last night it had dropped the investigation, as an investigation by Indonesian authorities superseded their own.

“In recent weeks, Indonesian authorities have clearly outlined that any such interview would be in breach of Ms Corby’s parole conditions and could result in her parole being revoked,” the AFP said in a statement.

“Any possibility of an agreement has now been superseded by these additional parole conditions. This decision does not mean that the original concerns that initiated the investigation were not well founded.”

Tim Worner, CEO of Seven West Media, accused police of “overkill” after the raids and maintained Seven had been fully cooperative during the investigation.

Seven welcomed the AFP decision, which includes returning all materials seized during the raids,  and said it was awaiting judgment in the Federal Court proceedings heard last week which seek to have the original warrants, which the AFP have admitted were botched, set aside.

“Seven was always frank and co-operative with the AFP as to our position in the negotiations for an interview with Schapelle Corby and believes that the use and execution of search warrants was excessive and unnecessary,” a spokesman said. “As the matter remains before the Court, we do not intend to make further comment at this stage. The Federal Court proceedings are not affected.”

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