The final five members of the notorious Bali Nine drug smuggling ring – Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens – have returned to Australia after serving nearly 20 years in Indonesian prisons.
Their release, facilitated through a confidential arrangement with the Indonesian government, does not constitute a clemency deal, as Australia lacks a prisoner transfer agreement with Indonesia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, alongside Ministers Penny Wong and Tony Burke, thanked Indonesia for its cooperation.
The men, who attempted to smuggle 8.3 kg of heroin from Bali in 2005, will now focus on rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.
This article was originally published by the Daily Telegraph New Zealand.
