Indonesian minister says Jakarta has agreed to return remaining Bali Nine members to Australia
Bali Nine members Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, and Michael Czugaj could be set to be released from prisons in Indonesia.
An Indonesian minister says Jakarta has agreed to return the five remaining members of the so-called Bali Nine drug smuggling ring, who are currently serving life sentences in the South-East Asian country, to Australia.
It will also seek the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia, Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas told Reuters on Saturday.
"This is the president's discretion, but in principle, the president has agreed on humanitarian grounds," Mr Supratman said.
France had also requested the repatriation of a prisoner, he said.
Jakarta has no set procedures regarding international prisoner transfer but will work on the matter as soon as possible, Mr Supratman said, stressing that the counterpart country must recognise Indonesia's judicial process.
"This is important to maintain a good relationship with friendly countries. But this is also in our interest because we have prisoners abroad," he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised the prisoner issue during a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Peru, Australian Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said in a press conference on Saturday.
A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was "aware" of reports regarding "the possible release" of the five men, but did not confirm Mr Supratman's comments.
The statement added DFAT was providing consular support for the five men and their families and advocating "for the men's interests".
The Bali Nine are a group of Australians who were arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle heroin out of the Indonesian resort island.
ABC/Reuters
By：ABC(责任编辑：admin)
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