The five remaining members of the notorious “Bali Nine” drug ring said they were “relieved and happy” to return home to Australia, after serving nearly 20 years in prisons in Indonesia.
Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj arrived in Darwin on Sunday after years of Australian lobbying on their behalf.
A statement on behalf of the men and their families said: “They look forward to reintegrating back and contributing to society in a timely manner.”
The famous case began in 2005 when Indonesia caught nine young Australian men trying to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin out of Bali and put it on their person.
Eight men and one woman were arrested at an airport and hotel in Bali after receiving information from Australian police.
The case made global headlines when two of the gang’s leaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in 2015 – causing diplomatic tensions between neighbors Indonesia and Australia.
The other members of the Bali Nine – most of whom were under 21 – were sentenced to 20 years in prison or life in prison.
The case highlights Indonesia’s strict drug laws, which are among the strictest in the world.
One of the nine, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of cancer in prison in 2018. Soon after, Renae Lawrence, then 41, the only woman in the group, had her sentence commuted after serving nearly 13 years in prison. year and returned to Australia. same year.
Indonesia did not reduce the sentences of the remaining five people, now aged between 38 and 48, and they were sent back to Australia as prisoners. However, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that men were indeed free to live unhindered in Australian society.
The five people are banned from entering Indonesia for life, a government spokesman said in a statement.
On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to several “grateful” parents of the men.
“They committed a serious crime and they paid a heavy price for it,” he told reporters. But it’s time for them to return home.”
He said the agreement did not come with conditions or incentives that Australia would have to offer in return: “This is an act of compassion by President Prabowo.” [Subianto] And we thank him for that.”
The men and their families also said they were “extremely grateful” to Prabowo.
They also thanked the lawyers, diplomats and government figures who had helped them over the past two decades before asking for secrecy.
“Men’s rights are a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust that the media and our community will take notice of this.”
The five men are being medically examined at Darwin’s Howard Springs facility – which has been used for quarantine during the pandemic – and will begin a voluntary “rehabilitation process”, the Education Minister said. Jason Clare said. It’s unclear what that entails or how long the men will be there.
He added that normal visa processes would apply to any Indonesian family members of the men who did not follow them to Australia.
The Bishop of Townsville, Timothy Harris, who has supported the families of Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj since their arrest, said he immediately called Scott Rush’s father, Lee, when he heard the news.
“Their lost son has returned… of course they are very happy,” Bishop Harris told Guardian Australia.
“Every day for the past 20 years has been a nightmare for them.”
However, he said it will take time for these men to heal their wounds and reintegrate into society.
“They are returning home, but they are going to a house they don’t know,” he told the Nine Network’s Today Programme.
“They have paid the price for their crimes and I hope that our systems, our people and our compassionate attitude can embrace these people now and… give them what they need to help them on that journey.”
