Indonesian minister says Jakarta has agreed to return remaining Bali Nine members to Australia

November 23, 2024 journo

An Indonesian minister says Jakarta has agreed to return the five remaining members of the so-called Bali Nine drug smuggling ring, who are currently serving life sentences in the South-East Asian country, to Australia.

It will also seek the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia, Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas told Reuters on Saturday.

“This is the president’s discretion, but in principle, the president has agreed on humanitarian grounds,” Mr Supratman said.

France had also requested the repatriation of a prisoner, he said.

Jakarta has no set procedures regarding international prisoner transfer but will work on the matter as soon as possible, Mr Supratman said, stressing that the counterpart country must recognise Indonesia’s judicial process.

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“This is important to maintain a good relationship with friendly countries. But this is also in our interest because we have prisoners abroad,” he said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised the prisoner issue during a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Peru, Australian Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said in a press conference on Saturday.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Institutions, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, previously said his government would make a decision about the remaining Bali Nine in December.

He said the Indonesian government would not grant clemency but transferring prisoners home was possible.

tpn prabowo — Yusril Ihza Mahendra (centre) has previously said the Indonesian government will make a decision about the remaining Bali Nine members in December. (Antara: Erlangga Bregas Prakoso)

A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was “aware” of reports regarding “the possible release” of the five men, but did not confirm Mr Supratman’s comments.

The statement added DFAT was providing consular support for the five men and their families and advocating “for the men’s interests”.

It is anticipated that if they return, the men are likely to serve additional time but are unlikely to continue their life sentences.

Possible release an ‘incredible gesture’

The Bali Nine are a group of Australians who were arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle heroin out of the Indonesian resort island.

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The heroin had a value of more than $4 million at the time.

Each year, before Indonesia’s Independence Day, members of the Bali Nine serving life sentences have lodged applications for clemency and each year there has been no response.

The execution of two members, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, in 2015 caused a diplomatic rupture between Australia and Indonesia. Australia recalled its ambassador in protest.

One of the nine was released from prison in 2018. Another died of cancer the same year.

Those who remain include Australian men Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj.

Bali Nine pair, Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman, sit staring at the camera — Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman were both arrested at a cheap Bali hotel room in possession of heroin. (ABC News: Phil Hemingway)

Melbourne pastor Christie Buckingham, who has long been involved with the Bali Nine and who was Myuran Sukumaran’s spiritual adviser on the night of his execution, told the ABC she was praying for the group’s return.

“If this is indeed the case, the news is very welcome and it is an incredible gesture on behalf of the Indonesian government to consider not only the Australians but the other international prisoners to be repatriated to their countries,” Pastor Buckingham said.

“We are hoping and praying that we will see this come to fruition and that the boys will be back in Australia with their families and can catch up on much lost time with them.”

The pastor, from Melbourne’s Bayside Church, continues to assist the Bali Nine members in jail.

“I have great faith in the relationship between the two governments (Australia and Indonesia), especially after being able to speak to Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who has continuously made representation on behalf of Matthew and Si Yi.”

ABC/Reuters