The five remaining Bali Nine members say they’re “relieved and happy” to be back in Australia, 19 years after being sentenced to life in prison for attempting to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia.
Martin Stephens, Si-Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj arrived back in Australia via Jetstar on Sunday after the federal government arranged a deal with Indonesia for their release.
In their first official statement, the men said they were looking forward to “reintegrating back into and contributing to society”.
The men are now free with no further jail time required. The government is facilitating short-term accommodation in an undisclosed location in Australia while they adjust to their new lives. The group will also have access to support services and medical help.
As part of the federal government’s negotiations with Indonesia, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto allowed the five men to return due to humanitarian grounds, and the men will continue rehabilitation in Australia.
The five men and their families released a statement saying they were “immensely grateful” to Subianto and his government, along with the Australian foreign ministers who had campaigned for their release.
The group said they were “relieved and happy to be back in Australia” and were looking forward to “reintegrating back into and contributing to society”.
“The welfare of the men is a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust our media and community will make allowance for this,” it continued.
“A special mention should be made of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dfat. In both Australia and Indonesia, at both a senior level and in prison visits and personal assistance, over many years, Dfat have offered professional and enduring support.
“The men and their families will always be grateful. The men and their families thank all those who have assisted them to reach this point. In particular, they thank their Indonesian lawyers, friends in Indonesia, academics and others in Australia, and numerous friends in Australia. This support has been essential and invaluable.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Prabowo’s “act of compassion” and said he was “pleased to confirm” their return home.
“These Australians served more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home,” Albanese said.
I am pleased to confirm that Australian citizens, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens have returned to Australia this afternoon.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 15, 2024
I thank President Prabowo Subianto for his compassion.
The five men were part of the so-called Bali Nine, who were arrested after trying to smuggle 8.3kgs of heroin from Indonesia to Australia in 2005.
In 2015, convicted ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were executed via firing squad.
Renae Lawrence was released and arrived back in Australia in 2018, while Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen passed away from cancer while in prison.
The remaining five members were serving life sentences without parole until this deal was struck.
Lead image: Getty
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