SYDNEY: The Australian authorities mentioned on Sunday (Dec 15) that 5 members of the “Bali Nine” drug ring have returned from Indonesia, following diplomatic efforts between the international locations this month to achieve a repatriation deal.
“The Australian Government can verify that Australian residents Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned in a press release.
The males had been amongst 9 folks arrested in 2005 whereas attempting to smuggle greater than 8kg of heroin out of the Indonesian island of Bali.
“These Australians have served greater than 19 years in jail in Indonesia. It’s about time they got here residence,” Albanese mentioned.
Two of the Bali Nine group’s leaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, had been executed in 2015, prompting Australia to recall its ambassador in protest.
The group’s solely feminine member was launched from jail in 2018, and a male member died of most cancers the identical yr.
“We want to categorical our deep appreciation to the Indonesian authorities for its cooperation in facilitating the return of the lads to Australia on humanitarian grounds,” Albanese mentioned.
The males’s return displays “the sturdy bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia”.
“The males may have the chance to proceed their private rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.”
The Indonesian authorities mentioned in a press release that the 5 prisoners had been transferred from Bali on Sunday morning and landed within the Australian metropolis of Darwin.
Indonesian Legal Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra met with Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta this month and handed over a draft proposal for the return of the 5 prisoners.
The phrases of the draft embody a ban on the 5 returning to Indonesia, guidelines on the authorized foundation for the switch and a requirement that Australia respect the Indonesian courtroom’s resolution, Yusril mentioned.
Yusril mentioned on the time that Indonesia would respect any selections Australia made as soon as the prisoners returned residence, even when the group had been granted clemency. He mentioned the repatriation wouldn’t contain a prisoner trade.
