Prabowo Approved, Prisoner Mary Jane Veloso's Repatriation Is Targeted To Be Completed By The End Of 2024

Mary Jane Veloso. (Jefta Images/Barcroft Media)

President Prabowo Subianto has approved the repatriation of Mary Jane Veloso from the Philippines as well as other foreign prisoners from Australia, France, and the Philippines is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

They are convicts convicted of drug cases, including Mary Jane Veloso who was previously rescued from the death penalty and remaining members of the Bali Nine gang from Australia.

"Our target, hopefully by the end of December, the transfer of prisoners will be completed," said Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra.

The announcement came after Yusril revealed that President Prabowo Subianto had approved the transfer of Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines. Veloso, who was sentenced to death in 2010 after being caught carrying 2.6 kg of heroin, was suspended in 2015.

The case shocked the Philippines and attracted international attention. Mary Jane Veloso expressed her joy to hear that she would soon be repatriated to her country.

Apart from Veloso, relocation talks are also underway with Australia to repatriate five Australian citizens involved in the Bali Nine drug network.

The five Australians were convicted in 2005 after trying to smuggle more than 8 kg of heroin from Bali. Two members of Bali Nine were executed, one died of cancer, while the other was released in 2018.

The remaining inmates, namely Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens, are still serving sentences in Indonesia.

Yusril said that he would discuss the case of moving the Australians during his planned visit to Indonesia with Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke next week.

In addition, Yusril also added that the Indonesian government is coordinating with France regarding the possibility of transferring a prisoner from the country, although his identity has not been disclosed.

Yusril reiterated that Indonesia hopes that foreign prisoners can complete their detention period in their home country.

"We are moving them to their home country so that they can serve their sentence there, but if the country wants to grant amnesty, that is their right," said Yusril.