Schapelle Corby conspiracy theorist to stand for WikiLeaks Party in WA Senate byelection

EXCLUSIVE

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is ineligible to stand in the WA Senate byelection. Photo: AFP

The WikiLeaks Party has chosen a Schapelle Corby conspiracy theorist as its candidate to replace Julian Assange at the West Australia Senate election.

Gerry Georgatos was endorsed by the WikiLeaks national council on Tuesday night after the party was notified by the Australian Electoral Commission that Mr Assange was not eligible to contest in WA as he had not spent enough time in the state in past six years.

Mr Assange remains in diplomatic asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Mr Georgatos, a university researcher and journalist, wrote a series of articles in January for independent news website, The Stringer, claiming Australian officials ''know without doubt'' that Schapelle Corby is innocent.

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The article went on to claim that she was used as a drug mule by corrupt officials and the Australian government considered brokering a ''tit-for-tat'' deal in which Indonesian children in Australian prisons would be ''swapped'' for Ms Corby.

When contacted by Fairfax Media on Wednesday, Mr Georgatos stood by his claims but conceded the story was ''too dramatic'' for the Australian public to take seriously.

Mr Georgatos said he came into contact with Department of Foreign Affairs officials in the course of campaigning for the release of Indonesian boys held in adult prisons. He said they openly claimed Ms Corbys innocence.

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Schapelle Corby conspiracy theorist to stand for WikiLeaks Party in WA Senate byelection