SYDNEY (Reuters) – The Australian authorities mentioned on Sunday that 5 members of the “Bali 9” drug ring had returned from Indonesia, following diplomatic efforts between the 2 nations this month to safe a repatriation deal.
“The Australian Authorities 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 an announcement.
The lads have been amongst 9 individuals arrested in 2005 whereas making an attempt to smuggle greater than 8kg of heroin out of the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
“These Australians have served greater than 19 years in jail in Indonesia. It was time for them to return dwelling,” Albanese mentioned.
Two of the Bali 9’s leaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, have 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 that very same 12 months.
“We wish to categorical our deep gratitude to the Indonesian Authorities for his or her cooperation in facilitating the return of the lads to Australia on humanitarian grounds,” Albanese mentioned.
The lads’s return displays “the robust bilateral relations and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia”.
“The lads can have the chance to proceed their private rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.”
The Indonesian authorities mentioned in an announcement that the 5 prisoners have been transferred from Bali on Sunday morning and landed within the Australian metropolis of Darwin.
Indonesian Authorized Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra met Australian Residence Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta this month and handed him a draft proposal for the return of the 5 prisoners.
The phrases of the draft included banning the 5 from returning to Indonesia, rules on the authorized foundation of the switch and requiring Australia to respect the Indonesian courtroom’s choice, Yusril mentioned.
Yusril mentioned on the time that Indonesia would respect any choice Australia made when the prisoners returned dwelling, together with if the group was granted a pardon. He clarified that the repatriation wouldn’t contain an trade of prisoners.
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