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.

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44 COMMENTS

  1. a year ago I watched a documentary about the bali nine, at the time they were already serving close to 20 years. I saw the regret and desperation of those guys they were homesick. But those guys have turned their lives around, even the prison chief believed that they have completely changed to a better version of themselves while serving time there. Guards were nice to them and At that time I felt bad but considering what they did 20 years ago could endanger or maybe kill thousands of lives I just hoped that they can manage life in prison. But now with this news Im happy for them, their second chance has finally arrived. Best wishes may they live peacefully for the rest of their lives. But I still believe in our harsh anti drug laws, it keeps the level of drugs users and smuggler at a minimum in Indonesia. I cant fathom if somewhere like downtown philly (US) were to exist Indonesia.

  2. They were young and innocent and in fairness they put a lot of work in with local prisoners to help them sort out their lives, they didn't look for pity they set up.shops , art shops and I think they fully deserve their chance at a new life

  3. Impressive the amount of effort Australia made to save a group of drug traffickers. The privilege of being young white boys. If they had been a group of aboriginal boys would there have been so much public support?

  4. I am an Australian citizen who is racially discriminated by Australian government because of mu Asian background. If these Members would have been mostly Asians, there is a high probability Australian government would have turned back against them. I was denied Justice and racially discriminated by the Federal court I have to seek asylum in Japan. I have been writing to Australian government to help me to get Justice for past 3 years which is my human right. Australian government did nothing in fact ignored me. This is Extreme racism, Double standard and victimization by Australian government because i have Asian background. I hope Australian government will change their attitude.

  5. Who woud hire them only the Labor party, so all at tax payers cost to keep a bunch of drug dealers or the rest of there lives. We have a lot of bad issues at home that need solving not worrying about people that thought they were above the lax, yes Albo you have our back (side).

  6. the govt was responsible for these people being captured for smuggling by the Federal Police informing the Indonesians of their movement … they deserve to be sued for a very large sum … the Diplomatic work was obviously lacking shows just how gut less our parlimantarians are over all …yes they did some wrong but the death penality is not the way to go

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