15/12/2024
๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐
The remaining five members of the Bali Nine drug smuggling ring have returned to Australia after spending nearly 20 years in Indonesian jails following a top secret release mission.
Si Yi Chen, 39, Michael Czugaj, 38, Matthew Norman, 38, Scott Rush, 39, and Martin Stephens, 48, touched down in Australia on commercial flights on Sunday evening as free men.
The five men will not face future imprisonment in Australia over their attempt to smuggle 8.3 kgs of he**in out of Bali into Australia in 2005.
The release arrangement with the Indonesian government has not been described as a clemency deal, and Australia does not have a prisoner transfer agreement with Indonesia.
Anthony Albanese confirmed the menโs return on Sunday.
โThe five men committed serious offences, serving over 19 years in prison in Indonesia,โ he said in a joint statement with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
โWe would like to convey our deep appreciation to the Government of Indonesia for its co-operation to facilitate the menโs return to Australia on humanitarian grounds.
โThis reflects the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia. The Australian Government has consistently advocated for the men and provided consular support to them and their families.
โThe men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.
โWe ask that the media respect the privacy of the men and their families at this time.โ
Itโs understood the Australian government has provided temporary accommodation for the former prisoners to ensure they are able to access medical and other support services.
The arrangement was struck after years of advocacy by Mr Albanese, who recently broached the topic with Indonesian Prime Minister Prabowo Subianto at the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Lima on November 15.
In a separate statement, Mr Albanese acknowledged the five remaining members of the Bali Nine had โcommitted serious offences,โ but said it was โtime for them to come homeโ.
โAustralia respects Indonesiaโs sovereignty and legal processes and we appreciate Indonesiaโs compassionate consideration of this matter,โ he said.
โThe five men committed serious offences. Australia shares Indonesiaโs concern about the serious problem illicit drugs represents.
โThe government will continue to co-operate with Indonesia to counter narcotics trafficking and transnational crime.โ
He also thanked President Subianto for facilitating the deal.
โI want to express my gratitude to President Prabowo for Indonesiaโs co-operation and commitment to working with Australia on this matter,โ he said.
โI have conveyed my personal appreciation to President Prabowo for his act of compassion.โ
The ringleaders of the Bali Nine operation, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed in 2015, while Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died in 2018 from stomach cancer.
Another member, Renae Lawrence was released in 2018 after spending 13 years in jail.
