Remaining Bali Nine prisoners to return home following request from Anthony Albanese
Indonesia has agreed to send home the five remaining members of Australia’s Bali Nine serving life sentences for drug trafficking following a plea from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The Australian reports Mr Albanese made a direct request to new president Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of this month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.
The group of nine Australians were arrested in April 2005 after attempting to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin, valued around $4 million, home from Bali.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Co-ordinating minister for legal affairs, human rights, immigration and corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra told The Australian Mr Albanese had made the request for the transfer of prisoners with President Prabowo.
He reportedly said that while Indonesia did not yet have prisoner exchange laws, the transfer could be made under the framework of mutual legal assistance.
The five remaining Bali Nine convicts are Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj.
Former president Joko Widodo in 2015 ordered the executions of ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan by firing squad. Another member, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of cancer in 2018, while the only woman, Renae Lawrence, was released the same year for good behaviour.
The transfer is expected to take place next month.
Originally published on The West Australian
