The remaining five members of the Bali Nine have returned to Australia after spending two decades in an Indonesian prison for their roles in a botched drug smuggling operation. Source: ABC News.
Australians Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj were serving life sentences in Indonesia for their roles in the 2005 smuggling plot.
The two ringleaders of the plot, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015; Renae Lawrence’s 20-year sentence was commuted in 2018 and Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died of stomach cancer in that same year.
The men arrived in Australia yesterday and have been provided temporary accommodation while they resettle.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the men had committed serious offences “but it was time for them to come home”.
“I am pleased to confirm that Australian citizens Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia this afternoon,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.
“I have conveyed my personal appreciation to President Prabowo [Subianto] for his act of compassion.”
In a joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Mr Albanese also thanked the Indonesian government for its cooperation in facilitating the men’s return to Australia “on humanitarian grounds”.
Townsville Bishop Tim Harris, who has provided pastoral care to the families of Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj since their arrest in 2005, welcomed the men’s release on the social media platform X.
“The Bali 5 are now free. I commend the governments of Australia and Indonesia for their combined act of compassion,” Bishop Harris said.
He said the men would now need to reintegrate into Australian society.
“After 20 years this will be challenging for them . We now need to welcome our broken sons home and support their families.”
FULL STORY
Remaining Bali Nine members return to Australia after 19 years in Indonesian prison (By Jake Evans, ABC News)
Bishop Tim Harris’ statement (Bishop Tim Harris, X)
