Australia says ‘Bali Nine’ drug smugglers have returned home

Australia says the five remaining members of the “Bali Nine” drug ring have returned home after almost 20 years in Indonesian prison.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on social media: “I am pleased to confirm that Australian citizens, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens have returned to Australia this afternoon.”

He thanked Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto “for his compassion”.

The high-profile case began in 2005 when Indonesia caught nine young Australians trying to smuggle 8.3kg (18lb) of heroin out of Bali.

The eight men and one woman were arrested at an airport and hotel in Bali after a tip-off from Australian police.

The case made news worldwide when two of the gang’s ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in 2015 – sparking a row with Australia, which abolished the death penalty.

After the executions, Australia recalled its ambassador to Indonesia, although he returned to Jakarta five weeks later.

Other members of the Bali Nine were handed life terms in prison.

The case put a spotlight on Indonesia’s strict drug laws, some of the most stringent in the world.

One of the nine, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of cancer in 2018. Shortly afterwards, Renae Lawrence, then 41, the only woman among the group, had her sentence commuted after spending almost 13 years in prison.

Australia’s government said of the five men’s return: “The men will have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.”

It expressed “deep appreciation” to Indonesia for allowing them to return home on humanitarian grounds.

Australian broadcaster ABC has reported that the men are effectively free to live unhindered in Australian society.