SYDNEY: Australia’s authorities stated on Sunday (Dec 15) that 5 members of the “Bali 9” drug ring have returned from Indonesia, after diplomatic efforts between the international locations this month to strike a repatriation deal.
“The Australian Authorities can affirm that Australian residents, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated in a press release.
The boys have been amongst 9 folks arrested in 2005 making an attempt to smuggle greater than 8kg of heroin out of the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
“These Australians served greater than 19 years in jail in Indonesia. It was time for them to return dwelling,” Albanese stated.
Two of the ringleaders of the Bali 9 group, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, have been executed in 2015, prompting Australia to recall its ambassador in protest.
The one lady within the group was launched from jail in 2018, and a male member died of most cancers the identical yr.
“We want to convey our deep appreciation to the federal government of Indonesia for its cooperation to facilitate the lads’s return to Australia on humanitarian grounds,” Albanese stated.
It stated the lads’s return mirrored “the sturdy bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia”.
“The boys could have the chance to proceed their private rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.”
Indonesia’s Senior Minister for Authorized Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra this month met Australian House Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta and handed over a draft proposal for the return of the 5 prisoners.
The phrases of the draft included the 5 being banned from returning to Indonesia, laws on the authorized foundation for the switch and a requirement that Australia respect the choice of the Indonesian courtroom, Yusril stated.
Yusril stated on the time that Indonesia would respect any resolution taken by Australia when the prisoners returned dwelling, together with if the group was granted a pardon. He stated the repatriation wouldn’t contain an alternate of prisoners.
Indonesia’s authorities didn’t reply instantly to requests for touch upon Sunday.
