"From Bali to Home: The Return of the Bali Nine Members Sparks Controversy and Reflection"

Sanjay Dutta More, the driver in question, underwent a blood test to determine alcohol levels. The results confirmed that no alcohol was present in his system.

P24 News Media

December 15, 2024

1 minute

"From Bali to Home: The Return of the Bali Nine Members Sparks Controversy and Reflection"

India

The remaining five members of the Bali Nine have made their way back to Australia, following two decades spent in Indonesian prisons. They expressed their profound gratitude towards the newly elected president of Indonesia for facilitating this transition. Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, and Michael Czugaj were serving life sentences in Indonesia due to their involvement in a failed drug smuggling operation that took place in 2005.

While two of the group's ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015, Renae Lawrence's sentence was significantly reduced in 2018, and Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen sadly lost his battle with stomach cancer the same year. The five men arrived back in Australia earlier today and have been provided with temporary accommodation to help them resettle into life back home.

In a formal statement relayed on their behalf, the group of former drug smugglers expressed heartfelt appreciation towards Australian foreign ministers and governments that continually advocated for their release. The five men returned to Australia via a commercial Jetstar flight from Bali's international airport, accompanied by Australian officials.

Upon arrival, they were required to pause on the tarmac while Indonesian officials captured photographs alongside their Australian counterparts, marking the final moments they would spend on Indonesian soil, as they have now been officially barred from ever returning.

According to a statement issued by their attorney, Julian McMahon, who previously represented the two deceased members, these individuals now look forward to reintegrating into society and contributing positively. He emphasized that the welfare of the men is vital and that they will require adequate time and support to adjust.

The ABC reported that the individuals are essentially free to live without restrictions within Australian society. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the serious nature of their past offenses but noted that it was time for them to return home. He expressed his pleasure in confirming their arrival in Australia and conveyed his gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto for showing compassion in facilitating their release.

In a joint statement alongside Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Mr. Albanese extended his thanks to the Indonesian government for its assistance in allowing the men to return on humanitarian grounds. They highlighted the importance of the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia, stating that the returning men would now have the opportunity for personal rehabilitation and reintegration in their home country.

While it is confirmed that the men traveled back together on a commercial flight, details regarding their family reunions or immediate living arrangements remain unclear. Hailing from Queensland and New South Wales, the men expressed relief and happiness to be back in Australia.

The statement from the men and their families conveyed immense gratitude to President Prabowo and the Indonesian government for permitting their return. They also thanked successive Australian foreign ministers and governments for their continuous support over the years. Additionally, they expressed appreciation towards their Indonesian lawyers, supporters in both Indonesia and Australia, acknowledging the invaluable help they received during their ordeal.

The men and their families have requested privacy during this emotionally complex period, which is both joyful and potentially challenging. In the backdrop of these events, Indonesia's top law minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra noted that the five were transferred to Australia as prisoners, clarifying that no clemency had been granted by President Prabowo Subianto.

Since the announcement regarding their transfer emerged in November, legal experts have suggested that such a move may not have been feasible due to the lack of relevant laws. A demand from Indonesia to monitor the men after their return to Australia has also been confirmed as unattainable due to their newfound freedom.

Previously, Mr. Mahendra indicated that while Indonesia would respect any decisions made by Australian authorities regarding the men's release, they would be prohibited from returning to Indonesia. This negotiation between both countries came after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Prabowo Subianto discussed the matter during a recent APEC meeting, where Subianto expressed a desire for the men to return home before Christmas, given the lengthy sentences they had already served.

The case of the Bali Nine, who were arrested while attempting to smuggle heroin out of Bali after a tip-off, has attracted massive media attention throughout the years. Their high-profile trials were intensely scrutinized, especially the controversial death sentences handed down for drug trafficking, a first for Indonesia. When Chan and Sukumaran received their death sentences, former Prime Minister John Howard urged other Australians to refrain from taking “terrible risks.” Despite intense opposition from the federal government, the execution of the two men by firing squad in 2015 solidified the death penalty's contentious nature within the legal framework of Indonesia.