Coordinating Minister Affirms Mary Jane Can No Longer Enter Indonesia For Life
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Kumham Imipas) Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed that the death row convict in the narcotics smuggling case, Mary Jane Veloso, would no longer be able to enter Indonesia for life.
The reason, he said, was that when prisoners (convicts) of foreign nationals (foreigners) were transferred to their home countries, the transfer did not erase their legal status in the eyes of Indonesia.
"So if a foreigner is returned, we will prevent him from entering Indonesia. For narcotics convicts, he will be prevented for life," said Yusril when met after a media gathering in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, November 28.
Therefore, he respects the Philippine government if he wants to provide clemency or reduced sentences to Mary Jane later if she has been transferred from Indonesia.
However, he said, this would not affect Mary Jane's deterrence period to Indonesia if she was free and finished serving the rest of the sentence in the Philippines, considering that the Philippines did not recognize the death penalty.
As for the period of deterrence against foreigners to Indonesia, there are various times. But specifically for foreigners who are or have been involved in narcotics cases, Yusril mentioned the deterrence period imposed for life or permanent.
"If they have been banned, they cannot enter. That is certain, it also applies to other prisoners who are sent home," he said.
Mary Jane is a Filipino citizen who was sentenced to death by the Sleman District Court, Yogyakarta, in 2010 to a narcotics case.
The transfer of Mary Jane was carried out at the request of the Philippine government. The Indonesian government accepted a request to transfer Mary Jane from Philippine Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla some time ago.
In moving Mary Jane, there are several conditions that have been submitted by the Indonesian government and accepted by the Philippine government.
Previously, the Minister of Immigration and Corrections (Imipas) Agus Andrianto said that his party was currently discussing the technicalities and timing of Mary Jane's transfer to her home country.
"Still under discussion, it is in accordance with the mandate of Law 22 of 2022 concerning Corrections Article 45 if I'm not mistaken, paragraph one says that there may be operational transfers," Agus said when met at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, East Jakarta, Monday (25/11).
Agus said the transfer was worth considering because several things were regulated in the Correctional Law, and reduced the burden on the state.
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Mary Jane is also considered to have completed more than two-thirds of the prison term in accordance with the applicable laws in Indonesia.