Minister Yusril: Five Bali Nine Members Still Serving Prison Sentences

Author: Dian Kencana
December 16, 2024

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra gives a press statement at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Friday (13/12/2024). (ANTARA/Fathur Rochman)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that the five members of the Bali Nine case were transferred to their home country, Australia, with permanent status as prisoners.

Yusril emphasized that the Indonesian government did not grant amnesty to the five prisoners. This requirement, he said, is one part of the practical arrangement signed by the Australian and Indonesian governments.

“Their status remains prisoners. We transferred them to Australia in prisoner status. The Indonesian government does not grant pardons in any form,” Yusril said in as reported by Antara.

In the practical arrangement it is also written, the Australian government stated that it respects the sovereignty and court decisions of Indonesia. In addition, Australia will also provide information to Indonesia regarding the status and treatment of prisoners after being transferred.

Yusril added that the agreement to transfer the prisoners was signed based on the principle of reciprocity.

“Indonesia and Australia are committed to always cooperate on issues of mutual interest in accordance with the domestic legal framework,” he also said.

Five of the nine Bali Nine inmates were transferred to Australia on Sunday (15/12) morning. They were handed over to the Australian government at the VIP Room II of the Swarawati Building of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali.

The five transferred Bali Nine inmates, Matthew James Norman, Scott Anthony Rush, Si Yi Chen, Michael William Czugaj, and Martin Eric Stephens, were subsequently put on a ban list, in accordance with Indonesian law.

The Bali Nine is the name given to nine Australians who were arrested in Bali in 2005 for their involvement in a drug smuggling network. They were found to be carrying 8.2 kilograms of heroin with them.

These nine prisoners consisted of Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Renae Lawrence, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens.

Andrew and Myuran were executed in 2015, while Renae was released in 2018. Tan Duc passed away the same year while serving a life sentence.