Returning Home: The 'Bali Nine' Drug Smugglers Complete Their Sentence

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, confirms the repatriation and expresses gratitude towards Indonesia for humanitarian considerations.

The five remaining members of the notorious 'Bali Nine' drug gang have made their journey back to Australia after being incarcerated in Indonesia for nearly 20 years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the return of Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj in a statement released on Sunday, expressing his satisfaction with their repatriation.

The group was initially apprehended in 2005 at Bali’s airport while attempting to smuggle 8.3kg (18lbs) of heroin. Their story drew global attention, especially after the execution of two ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, by firing squad in 2015, which caused significant diplomatic tensions between Australia and Indonesia.

Albanese also extended thanks to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for showing compassion throughout the repatriation process. The ‘Bali Nine’ case highlighted Indonesia's stringent anti-drug laws, with one of the original nine, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, having succumbed to cancer while incarcerated, and Renae Lawrence being released earlier in 2018 after serving approximately 13 years.

On Sunday, the five were flown from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport to Darwin on an Australian airline, Jetstar. Indonesia's senior law minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, stated they were transported as "prisoners" and that they now fall under Australian jurisdiction, although no pardons were issued.

The Australian government assured that the men would have opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. While acknowledging the severity of their past crimes, the Albanese administration is optimistic about their return as a chance for a second life.

In recent years, the government has also engaged in negotiations to secure the release of other Australians held overseas, such as Julian Assange and Cheng Lei. The reaction to the group’s return is mixed, as the community reflects on the complicated legacy of the 'Bali Nine' saga.