SYDNEY (Reuters) – The five remaining members of the Australian drug gang known as the Bali Nine have returned from Indonesia after diplomatic efforts between the two countries this month to reach a deal to repatriate them, the two governments said on Sunday.
“The Australian government can confirm that Australian citizens Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stevens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Chujaj have returned to Australia,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
The men were among nine people arrested in 2005 while trying to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin from the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
“These Australians have spent more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It is time for them to return home,” Albanese said.
Indonesia said that the five were transferred from Bali in prisoner status on Sunday morning and arrived in the Australian city of Darwin. Jakarta said it had not granted any amnesty.
Two of the ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015, prompting Australia to recall its ambassador in protest. The only woman in the group was released from prison in 2018, and one member died of cancer that same year.
“We would like to express our deep appreciation to the government of Indonesia for its cooperation in facilitating the return of the men to Australia on humanitarian grounds,” Albanese said.
He said the return reflects “the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia.” “The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration into Australia.”
Yusril Ihsa Mahindra, Indonesia's senior legal affairs minister, said the transfer was “mutual in nature. If our government one day requests the transfer of Indonesian prisoners in Australia, the Australian government is also obligated to consider that.”
Yusril said in a statement that the five are banned for life from entering Indonesia.
Indonesia said it would respect any decision Australia makes when prisoners return home, including granting amnesty.
Yisril met with Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta this month and handed him a draft proposal for the return of the five. Jakarta said at the time that the repatriation would not involve an exchange of prisoners.
