for the first time in almost 20 years.Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Scott Rush, Michael Czugaj and Si Yi Chen had their freedom granted before being boarding a Jetstar flight home yesterday.Their joy and relief will mingle with trepidation as they begin the daunting process of reentering society 19 years since their arrest for drug smuggling in 2005.
The final members of the Bali Nine are processed before being flown back to Australia. (Supplied)"Relieved and happy to be back in Australia," the men said in a statement released on their behalf last night."They look forward, in time, to reintegrating back into and contributing to society."The welfare of the men is a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust our media and community will make allowance for this."Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the breakthrough after a deal was reached with new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.Authorities have not said where the Jetstar flight took them to in Australia but it's understood the quintet will be at a rehabilitation facility as they ease back into society.
In a statement, the five said they were "relieved and happy to be back in Australia". (Supplied)Albanese said he was "pleased to confirm" the group's return and praised Prabowo for his "act of compassion"."These Australians served more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home," Albanese said.The five men and their families also praised Prabowo, as well as Australian foreign ministers and governments who had advocated for them, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade."The men and their families will always be grateful," the statement said."The men and their families thank all those who have assisted them to reach this point. In particular, they thank their Indonesian lawyers, friends in Indonesia, academics and others in Australia, and numerous friends in Australia. This support has been essential and invaluable."
Remaining Bali Nine members (from left) Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, Scott Rush, Michael Czugaj. (Composite)
Who are the Bali Nine?
Two convicted ringleaders of the Bali Nine, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by a firing squad in 2015, causing a diplomatic furore.Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died from cancer in prison.Renae Lawrence, the only woman in the group, was released and returned to Australia in 2018.The nine were arrested in an attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilograms of heroin from Indonesia's resort island of Bali to Australia in 2005.The final five had been serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Bali Nine member Matthew Norman chatting with Indonesian politicians in Kerobokan Prison on Friday, December 6, 2024. (Amilia Rosa)In a joint statement on Sunday, Albanese, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke added that the men had "committed serious offences, serving over 19 years in prison in Indonesia"."We would like to convey our deep appreciation to the government of Indonesia for its cooperation to facilitate the men's return to Australia on humanitarian grounds," the trio said."This reflects the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia."The Australian government has consistently advocated for the men and provided consular support to them and their families.
Albanese said he was "pleased to confirm" the group had returned home to Australia and praised the president for his "act of compassion." (Nine)"The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia."
