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December 13, 2024 | 08:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is actively processing requests from three countries – the Philippines, Australia, and France – for the repatriation of their respective citizens imprisoned in Indonesia.
“Three countries have submitted [the request] to the government: the Philippines, Australia, and France. We have made significant progress in this matter,” said Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, after a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Friday, December 13, 2024.
Yusril explained that the initiation of these prisoner transfer processes was at the request of President Prabowo Subianto. He further stated that negotiations with France and the Philippines have been successfully concluded and formal agreements have been signed.
Regarding the repatriation of Australian prisoners, Yusril acknowledged that the process is still ongoing and nearing completion. “Australia has indicated that they are nearing the final stages of their internal review process. However, there are still some domestic issues within Australia,” he added.
Regarding the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Philippine national on death row for drug trafficking, Yusril said that the legal responsibility for her case has been transferred to the Philippine government. He noted that he had been informed that the Philippine government intends to change Mary Jane's death sentence to life imprisonment.
“Upon learning that the Philippine Government will grant a pardon and shift her sentence to life imprisonment, we respect the Philippine Government,” the Minister remarked.
Mary Jane Veloso is currently at the Yogyakarta Penitentiary. The transfer process will commence shortly, with Mary Jane being transported to Jakarta under a heavy security escort before being handed over to Philippine authorities at the airport for her repatriation.
Such transfers, according to him, are not explicitly regulated by law. “These decisions are made at the discretion of the President, taking into account applicable laws and the principles of good governance,” he explained.
The agreement to repatriate Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines was formally signed by Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Philippine Deputy Minister of Justice, Raul T. Vasquez, in Jakarta on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Mary Jane Veloso was arrested at Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta on April 25, 2010, after being found in possession of 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed within her luggage.
Dani Aswara contributed to the writing of this article.
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