Mary Jane Was Not Released, But Transferred To The Philippines With Prisoner Status

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the death row convict in the narcotics smuggling case Mary Jane Veloso was transferred to the Philippines while still a prisoner.

Yusril emphasized that Mary Jane was not released from punishment. The Indonesian government, he said, transferred the person concerned to his home country or known as the transfer of persons in criminal law.

"So it is not a release, not a pardon, but a return or return to the Philippines as a prisoner," said Coordinating Minister Yusril as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 20.

Yusril explained that the transfer was carried out with a number of conditions, including the Philippine Government having to admit the Indonesian court's decision to sentence Mary Jane to death.

The Philippines is also obliged to carry out the remainder of Mary Jane's sentence if it has been moved.

In addition, another requirement is that the Philippines is responsible for ensuring the security of Mary Jane during the transfer. "We will hand over (Jenny), for example, at airports in Indonesia, and then the security responsibility lies with the country concerned," said Yusril.

The transfer of Mary Jane was made at the request of the Philippine Government. The Indonesian government accepted a request to transfer Mary Jane from Philippine Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla a few days ago.

According to Yusril, the policy of transferring Mary Jane has been approved by President Prabowo Subianto. On the other hand, coordination with ministries under the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections has also been carried out.

"God willing, hopefully, in December we will be able to implement this policy," he said.