Fresh pictures of Bali Nine members Matthew Norman and Si-Yi Chen inside jail stoke speculation their release could be imminent
A media event inside Kerobokan Prison has stoked speculation an announcement about the release of the remaining Bali Nine members could be imminent.
Camera crews were invited inside the jail on the Indonesian holiday island on Friday where Matthew Norman was pictured talking with officials and Si-Yi Chen was filmed working in a silversmithing class with fellow prisoners.
Yusril Ihza Mahendra met Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in Jakarta on Tuesday and handed over a draft proposal for the return of the five prisoners, who were arrested in 2005 trying to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin out of the Indonesian resort island.
They include Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj along with Norman and Chen.
Ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed in 2015, sparking a diplomatic incident with Australia, while Renae Lawrence was released in 2018 and Tan Duc Than Nguyen died of cancer the same year.
Mr Mahendra said the terms of the draft include the five being banned from returning to Indonesia, regulations on the legal basis for the transfer and a requirement that Australia respect the decision of the Indonesian court.
‘The ball is no longer in our government’s court, the ball is in the Australian government,’ he explained.
A confirmed plan for the release of the remaining Bali Nine could be imminent with a media event held inside the jail on Friday with Aussie Matthew Norman (pictured)
Si-Yi Chen pictured during a silversmithing class inside Kerobokan Prison on Friday
However, he stressed that Indonesia has a strict policy of never granting pardons to drug offenders
‘Not only to foreigners, we have never given it to our citizens, how can we give clemency to foreigners?
‘We never release them. Don’t misunderstand. We transfer in one condition as prisoners back to the country concerned.
‘So even if the Bali Nine case is later transferred to Australia, it is not us freeing them, we transfer them to Australia as prisoners.
‘Later they will serve their sentences in Australia based on our court decision. That must be recognised by the Australian government and respected.’
If the Australian government later decides to grant a pardon, remission, or amnesty, that decision will be entirely within their authority, Mr Mahendra said.
Indonesia’s Chief Minister for Law and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke at a recent meeting in Jakarta
Si Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, Renea Lawrence, Michael Czugaj and Scott Rush. A deal to bring home Bali Nine members could soon be reached as transfer details are ironed out
That an Indonesia proposal was handed over during the meeting was ‘a significant step forward and shows significant goodwill’, Mr Burke said on Tuesday.
Impediments within both legal systems were discussed.
‘I have full respect for the Indonesian legal system and approach the conversations with a great deal of respect and a great deal of humility,’ he said.
‘There are … some issues which have not yet been resolved and that work will continue between our officials.’
Jakarta is reportedly seeking the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia as part of any deal.
