Traces Of The Bali Nine Case: Arrest Of Drug Groups In Bali To Repatriation To Australia

The signing of the handover file for the transfer of five Bali Nine convicts at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, Sunday (15/12/2024). ANTARA/HO-Kemenko Kumham Imipas

YOGYAKARTA The Indonesian government transacted five prisoners from the Bali Nine case to the Australian government on Sunday, December 15, 2024. The five convicts were Acott Anthony Rush, Matthew James Norman, Si Yi Chen, Michael William Czugaj, and Martin Eric Stephens. They were handed over to the Austalia Government in the VIP Room II of the Swarawati building I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali. So, what are the traces of the Bali Nine case? Check out the full information below.

Quoted from Antara, Bali Nine is the nickname for nine Australian inmates who were arrested in Bali for being involved in a drug syndicate case in 2005. The group has proven to be trying to smuggle 8.2 kilograms of heroin into Australia.

The group members consisted of Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumarian, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Renae Lawrence, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens.

Traces of the Bali Nine case began when police officers arrested nine Bali Nine members from Austalia who tried to smuggle 8.2 kilograms of heroin from Indonesia to Australia. This arrest was made on April 17, 2005 at Ngurah Rai Airport and a hotel in Kuta.

Four members of the group, namely Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, and Rene Lawrence were arrested at Ngurah Rai Airport when they were about to board the plane to Australia. During the arrest, evidence was found in the form of heroin attached to their bodies.

Andrew Chan, who is referred to as the group's 'godfather', was arrested on another plane. However, the police did not find any evidence of drugs.

Next, Myuran Sukumran, Si Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, and tch Duc Thanh Nguyen were arrested at a hotel in Kuta with evidence of heroin weighing 350 grams.

In 2006, Denpasar District Court sentenced six members of the Bali Nine group to life imprisonment. However, Renae Lawrence was cut to 20 years in prison.

Meanwhile, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukururan, as the main figures of the group, were sentenced to death. Both were executed on Nusakambangan Island, Cilacap, Central Java in 2015.

In 2018, one of the members of Bali Nine, Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of cancer at the age of 34. In the same year, Renae Lawrence was released from prison.

On Sunday, December 15, 2024, the remaining five Bali Nine members, namely Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Matthew Norman, were transferred from Bali to Australia after 19 years behind bars. This transfer was carried out without clemency by the Indonesian government.

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the Indonesian government did not forgive the five Bali Nine inmates.

The transfer of five members of Bali Nine is part of a practical arrangement signed by the governments of Australia and Indonesia.

"Their status is still a prisoner. We transferred them to Australia as prisoners. The Indonesian government does not provide forgiveness in any form," said Yusril on Sunday, December 15, quoted from Antara.

He added that the agreement to transfer Bali Nine prisoners was signed based on the principle of reciprocity or reciprocity.

"Indonesia and Australia are committed to always working together on issues related to common interests in accordance with the internal legal framework," continued Yusril.

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