The five remaining members of the Australian “Bali Nine” drug ring flew home Sunday after 19 years in jail in Indonesia, ending a saga that had frayed relations between the two countries.
Indonesian police arrested nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin off the holiday island of Bali. In a case that drew global attention to Indonesia’s unforgiving drug laws, two of the gang would eventually be executed by firing squad, while others served hefty prison sentences.
“The Australian Government can confirm that Australian citizens, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj have returned to Australia,” Canberra said in a statement.
“The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the men returned in the afternoon, and he had thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for his “compassion”. “Australia shares Indonesia’s concern about the serious problem illicit drugs represent,” Albanese said.
“The government will continue to cooperate with Indonesia to counter narcotics trafficking and transnational crime,” he told reporters. “These Australians spent more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home.” The Australian government did not give further details on the agreement with Jakarta.
England's hopes of a series clean sweep all but evaporated on Sunday as they capitulated…
India's seamers triggered another top order batting collapse but a second successive century for Travis…
A crowd erupts in cheers as a young Maasai woman pelts over the finish line,…
Governor Sindh Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori inaugurated season 4 of the Karachi Tape-Ball Premier League…
India beat Pakistan by nine wickets in the Group A match of the ACC U19…
A two-day Conditioning and Skills Development training camp for Pakistan Physical Disability (PD) cricket team,…
Leave a Comment