Netherlands Release Five Remaining Australian Members of Bali Nine After 19 Years in Prison

netherlands - Five remaining Australians from the 'Bali Nine' drug smuggling group have been released by Indonesia after serving over 19 years in prison.

Indonesia has released the five remaining Australians from the 'Bali Nine' drug smuggling group after over 19 years in prison. The group of nine Australians attempted to smuggle 8.3 kilograms of heroin from Indonesia, with a street value of 4 million dollars at the time. However, their attempt was thwarted when they were caught at Denpasar airport. In April 2005, they were sentenced to death.

The severe punishment of the nine individuals garnered international attention on Indonesia's strict drug laws. Additionally, it led to a diplomatic rift with Australia, despite calls for clemency falling on deaf ears in Indonesia.

Now, nearly two decades later, just before Christmas, relations between the two countries are back to normal. The five Australians, aged in their late thirties and early forties, have been released. Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and Michael Czugaj are now reunited with their families.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed gratitude towards the Indonesian government for their cooperation and for considering the release as an act of compassion. 'These Australians have spent over 19 years in prison in Bali,' said the Prime Minister. 'They now have the opportunity to continue their rehabilitation and reintegration here in Australia.'