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Indonesia’s new president has reportedly approved a deal to transfer the remaining Bali Nine drug smugglers back to Australia.
“Regarding the Bali Nine, I emphasize once again, the president has agreed in principle to continue the transfer process,” the publication quoted Law and Human Rights Minister Suprathman Andy Atgas as saying.
“Although I cannot confirm a specific timetable, the president’s consent allows us to proceed with preparations.”
The “Bali Nine” was the nickname given to a group of nine Australians who were caught trying to smuggle more than 8.3 kilograms of heroin out of Indonesia in 2005.
The group, which included Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Si Yi Chen, Michael Chugai, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stevens and Rene Lawrence, were arrested after the Australian Federal Police tipped off Indonesian authorities.
Chan and Sukumaran were executed in 2015, while the others were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Lawrence successfully appealed to have her sentence reduced to 20 years and was released after serving 13.
Nguyen developed stomach cancer and died in prison in 2018.
However, this may not translate into freedom. Although details of the deal are not known, Indonesia is expected to require the smugglers to continue serving their sentences.
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