Five members of Bali Nine say they are “relieved and happy” to enjoy freedom for the first time in almost two decades after returning to Australia as free men.
Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj flew back to Australia on Sunday on a commercial flight in a top-secret mission after weeks of negotiations between the Australian and Indonesian governments.
The men will not have to serve a prison sentence in Australia and can live freely in the community.
Authorities have not confirmed where they are staying, but they are believed to be in Howard Springs near Darwin, Nine News reported.
The men thanked those who worked to secure their release in a joint statement released by their lawyers on Sunday evening.
‘In both Australia and Indonesia, DFAT has provided professional and sustained support for many years, both at senior level and with prison visits and personal assistance. The men and their families will always be grateful,” the statement said.
‘They look forward to eventually reintegrating into and contributing to society.
“The welfare of the men is a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust that our media and community will take this into account.”
The remaining members of the Bali Nine (L-R) Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, Matthew Norman (top), Michael Czugaj (bottom) and Scott Rush returned to Australia on Sunday
The five men will not serve any jail time in Australia. Pictured are Bali 9 members Matthew Norman (L) and Si Yi Chen (right)
Mr Norman, who at 18 was the youngest at the time of his arrest, spoke to the media days before his release from Bali’s Kerobokan prison
He was seen smiling and reportedly said he felt “good.”
The development comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requested the transfer during a recent meeting with new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the APEC summit last month, who agreed to allow the detainees to return home on humanitarian grounds.
The Aussies were arrested in Bali along with Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen and Renae Lawrence in April 2005 when they tried to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin strapped to their bodies from the holiday island.
Leaders Chan and Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in April 2015.
Stephen’s former cellmate Nguyen died of cancer in 2018, while Lawrence was released that year after her life sentence was reduced to 20 years on appeal.
The Prime Minister confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the men are at home.
“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. I thank President Prabowo Subianto for his condolences,” he wrote on X.
He later told reporters: “These Australians have spent more than 19 years in prison in Indonesia. It was time for them to come home.”
The five Aussies will continue their rehabilitation in Australia and will be provided with short-term accommodation, government support and medical care as they transition to life in the community.
It is believed there was no prisoner swap or any ‘quid pro quo’ with Indonesia as part of the men’s release.
Martin Stephens was one of five Bali 9 members who returned home on Sunday
“We would like to express our deep appreciation to the Government of Indonesia for its cooperation in facilitating the men’s return to Australia on humanitarian grounds,” said a joint statement from Mr Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Minister Business Tony Burke.
“This reflects the strong bilateral relationship and mutual respect between Indonesia and Australia.”
‘The men are given the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia.
“We ask that the media respect the privacy of the men and their families at this time.”
Some men now have Indonesian families who have not traveled to Australia with them.
Stephens previously said he would “turn down” a prisoner swap so he could remain close to his stepdaughter and wife Christine Puspayanti, whom he married in 2011 while behind bars.
“I am much freer here than in an Australian prison, although logically it would be better for my parents,” Stephens said in his last interview in 2020.
‘I teach English and play seruling (traditional bamboo flute), but I haven’t learned Indonesian. I want to maintain my Australian identity and avoid getting involved in factional fighting,” he told Indonesia Expat.
Ten months after their arrest, Chan and Sukumaran were sentenced to death by firing squad, while the remaining seven were given life sentences.