The five remaining members of the Australian “Bali Nine” drug syndicate have returned home after spending 19 years in an Indonesian prison, concluding a saga that strained ties between the two nations.
In 2005, Indonesian authorities apprehended the nine Australians, ultimately convicting them for attempting to smuggle over eight kilograms of heroin from the holiday destination of Bali.
The case garnered worldwide attention, highlighting Indonesia’s strict drug laws, which led to the execution of two members of the gang by firing squad, while the others received lengthy prison sentences.
“The Australian Government confirms that citizens Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia,” stated an official government announcement.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned that the men arrived back in the afternoon and expressed his gratitude to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his “compassion.”
“Australia shares Indonesia’s concern regarding the significant issue posed by illicit drugs,” Mr. Albanese remarked.
“The government will maintain its cooperation with Indonesia to combat narcotics trafficking and transnational crime,” he informed reporters.
“These Australians have spent over 19 years in Indonesian imprisonment. It was time for their return.”
The Australian government did not disclose further specifics about the agreement made with Jakarta.
Firing Squad
An Indonesian minister informed AFP that the five men departed the country as prisoners, but “all responsibilities for them” had transferred to Australia.
Three officials from the Australian embassy accompanied the men on their flight home, as stated by another Indonesian official.
They were transported from Bali to Darwin, a northern Australian city, arriving at approximately 2:42 PM local time (5:12 AM Irish time), according to Indonesia’s coordinating ministry for law, human rights, immigration, and corrections.
Discussions regarding the men’s repatriation reportedly intensified after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with Albanese during the APEC summit in Peru last month.
The Australian government mentioned that it had continuously advocated for the individuals and provided consular assistance to them and their families throughout their incarceration.
It urged the media to respect their privacy.
Australia’s national broadcaster, ABC, reported that the men are now free and will not have to serve any additional prison time upon returning home.
Heroin-Lined Suitcase
The men have been offered temporary accommodation and have voluntarily committed to continuing their rehabilitation, as reported.
It is not uncommon for foreigners to face arrest for drug-related crimes in Bali, which draws millions of tourists to its picturesque beaches each year.
Indonesia, a Muslim-majority nation, enforces some of the strictest drug laws globally, including the death penalty for traffickers.
Accused ringleaders of the “Bali Nine,” Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in 2015 despite persistent appeals from the Australian government, prompting it to recall its ambassador during that period.
Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen succumbed to cancer in 2018, just months before Renae Lawrence was released after her sentence was reduced.
Australian police faced backlash for alerting Indonesian authorities about the drug-smuggling operation, raising concerns about the potential death penalty.
In November, a senior Indonesian minister indicated that the country intends to repatriate prisoners from Australia, France, and the Philippines by the end of the year.
Last month, France requested the return of its citizen, Serge Atlaoui, a welder arrested in 2005 at a drug factory near Jakarta, according to a senior Indonesian official.
Earlier this month, Indonesia signed an agreement with the Philippines regarding the repatriation of Mary Jane Veloso, a mother of two who was arrested in 2010 after a suitcase she was carrying was discovered to contain 2.6kg of heroin.
