3 months ago
68
December 16, 2024 | 06:21 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After nearly two decades of imprisonment in Indonesia, five members of the infamous Bali Nine—an Australian drug syndicate—are repatriated to their home country, Australia, on Sunday, December 15 this year.
According to the statement released by Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the five inmates who are transferred to Australia remain as prisoners, in compliance with the practical arrangement signed by the Indonesian and Australian governments on December 12, 2024.
As the decades-old case resurfaces to the public’s eye following the repatriation, let’s refresh our memories about the Bali Nine and what crimes led them to life imprisonment in Indonesia. This article provides information involving the case and everything you need to know about the Bali Nine, as highlighted by The Guardian and SBS News.
What is Bali Nine?
The Bali Nine is the nickname given to a group of nine Australians who were arrested in Bali due to being involved in a drug syndicate case in 2005. It was proven that they were involved in the smuggling of 8.2 kilograms of heroin.
The nine members of Bali Nine were Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Renae Lawrance, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens.
Out of these people, only five remained in the Indonesian prison until Sunday's transfer. They are Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens.
Despite agreeing to return them to Australia, the Indonesian government does not grant clemency to the remaining Bali Nine members, Minister Yusril Ihza shared. Additionally, the Bali Nine convicts are included in the barred list, preventing them from reentering Indonesia for life. After the transfer, Australia will share updates with Indonesia regarding the status and treatment of the Bali Nine members.
What happened to the Bali Nine?
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were described as the ringleaders of the Bali Nine in 2005. Both convicts were executed by firing squad in April 2005 after multiple appeals to reduce their sentences were denied.
Initially sentenced to life in prison, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, who was arrested at a hotel in Kuta, had his punishment reduced to 20 years on appeal. However, he did not serve a full term as he died from kidney cancer in 2018.
Renae Lawrance, the only woman in the group, who was arrested at Denpasar airport upon the 2.7 kilograms of heroin strapped to her body, was sentenced to life imprisonment. In the process of her serving time, the sentence was reduced to 20 years for good behavior. She was ultimately released in 2018 after serving for only 13 years.
Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens were each sentenced to life in prison, with Chen, Czugaj, and Norman having their sentences subsequently reduced to 20 years. All five of them were returned to their home country, Australia, in December 2024.
The repatriation of the remaining Bali Nine members to Australia marks a significant chapter in a decades-long story that captured global attention.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia Repatriates 5 Bali Nine Drug Convicts to Australia
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesian Govt to Assess 39,000 Drug Convicts for Amnesty Consideration
3 jam lalu
Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas says approximately 39,000 drug-related inmates are being considered for amnesty.
Australian Navy Tests Tomahawk Cruise Missile
6 jam lalu
The Australian Navy has test-fired a Tomahawk cruise missile from the warship HMAS Brisbane off the west coast of the United States.
Five Bali Nine Inmates Transferred to Australia; Indonesia to Monitor Through Embassy
7 jam lalu
Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the Australian government has agreed to the conditions set by Indonesia for the transfer of five Bali Nine inmates.
Five Bali Nine Members Repatriated to Australia Remain Prisoners: Indonesian Minister
9 jam lalu
Coordinating Minister Yusril states that the Indonesian Govt does not grant clemency to the Bali Nine convicts who have been returned to Australia.
Indonesia Repatriates 5 Bali Nine Drug Convicts to Australia
21 jam lalu
The Indonesian government has completed the transfer of 5 Australian citizens, involved in the Bali Nine drug case, to their home country.
Polemics Over Mary Jane's Transfer to the Philippines and the Bali Nine Gang's Transfer to Australia
1 hari lalu
Indonesian minister revealed that three countries have submitted requests for prisoner transfers, namely the Philippines, Australia, and France.
Bali Students Win Monash University's 'Change It Challenge', Head to Global Finals
1 hari lalu
Students from Taman Rama Intercultural School Bali has won the Change It Challenge organized by Monash University Indonesia
Indonesia Preps Repatriation of Prisoners from Philippines, Australia, and France
2 hari lalu
Yusril explained that the initiation of these prisoner repatriation processes was at the request of President Prabowo Subianto.
Australian Tourist Arrested for Setting Fire at Changi Airport
2 hari lalu
The Singapore Police Force arrested an Australian man on Thursday, Dec. 12, after he allegedly set fire to curtains at Changi Airport.
Inside Syria's Prisons: What to Know About Assad's 'Human Slaughterhouse'
5 hari lalu
The collapse of Bashar Al-Assad's regime in Syria reveals another fact. Several prisons bear witness to Assad's cruelty towards his vocal opponents.
