This handout photograph taken and released by Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections on December 15, 2024 shows five ‘Bali Nine’ convicts namely Martin Eric Stephens (L), Michael William Czugaj (2L, back), Scott Anthony Rush (C, back), Mathew James Norman (2R, back), and Si Yi Chen (R, back) look on as Director of Prisoner Development of the Directorate General of Corrections of the Republic of Indonesia Erwedi Supriyatno (R, front) and Australian Representative, Minister-Counsellor Home Affairs, Regional Director South-East Asia, Lauren Richardson (L, front) sign their transfer agreement at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. Agence France-Presse
SYDNEY — The five remaining members of the Australian “Bali Nine” drug ring say they are “relieved and happy” over their return home after 19 years in jail in Indonesia.
The men — the last behind bars among nine Australian smugglers who were jailed in Indonesia in 2005 — flew into Darwin on Sunday under a secretive deal between the two countries.
Article continues after this advertisement“The five men are relieved and happy to be back in Australia,” said a statement released on behalf of the men, their families and their lawyers.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Island Cove’s jobless: The other side of the Pogo ban GLOBALNATION Visit of Mary Jane Veloso’s family to Indonesia canceled GLOBALNATION Filipinos tighten belts for Christmas as costs riseREAD: Australia says talks ongoing for release of ‘Bali Nine’ prisoners
“They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society,” said the statement received Monday.
Article continues after this advertisementIndonesian police arrested the nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin off the holiday island of Bali.
Article continues after this advertisementThe case drew global attention to Indonesia’s unforgiving drug laws, with two of the gang executed by firing squad, while the others served hefty prison sentences.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Indonesia readies Mary Jane Veloso repatriation by January
The released men — Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj — said they were “immensely grateful” to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for allowing them to return home.
Article continues after this advertisementSupport from friends, family, lawyers and government officials had been “essential and invaluable”, they said.
The men now need “time and support” for their welfare, the statement said, asking media and the community to make allowance for this.
Australia has not released details of the agreement with Indonesia that allowed their release.
Australian public broadcaster ABC said the men did not have to serve further prison time but had agreed voluntarily to continue their rehabilitation.
Jittering donkey carts have long been essential for aftermarket transport from southern Karachi’s wholesale bazaars, nested in narrow streets preventing regular vehicles from accessing their trove of wares.
Humpert, who has been raising sheep in northwestern Germany’s Marienmuenster since 1986 in a bid to save endangered breeds, has since lost 140 of her 500 sheep.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Sunday he had thanked Indonesia’s president for his “compassion” in allowing the men’s return.
“These Australians spent more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home,” he said.
Muslim-majority Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers.
Accused “Bali Nine” ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in 2015 despite repeated pleas from the Australian government, which recalled its ambassador at the time.
diamond slotsSubscribe to our daily newsletter
Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died of cancer in 2018au777, months before Renae Lawrence was released after her sentence was commuted.
READ NEXT ‘Bali Nine’ drug ring prisoners ‘relieved... Syrians return to ruined homes in city that became Hezbollah hub EDITORS' PICK Yoon Suk Yeol impeached: Who could be South Korea’s next leader? 3 weather systems to bring rains over Luzon, Visayas on Dec. 15 UK officially joins Indo-Pacific trade bloc UP outlasts La Salle in Game 3 to reclaim UAAP men’s basketball title After UAAP Finals heartbreak, Kevin Quiambao mum on future 1-Pacman’s 2nd nominee Bobby Pacquiao puts public service first MOST READ PH, US air forces hold drill off Pacific coast Jamela Villanueva goes cryptic after Maris Racal-Anthony Jennings exposé Acop to Dela Rosa: Rebut report with proof, not theatrics SOS Network asks VP Duterte to explain use of confidential funds Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments