Bali Nine heroin smuggler Scott Rush pens emotional plea for freedom as he vows to become an anti-drugs campaigner while serving life in jail
- Scott Rush penned a letter from his Balinese jail cell to President Joko Widodo
- The Queenslander asked for his life sentence be reduced to 20 years behind bars
- He vowed to become an ‘anti-drugs ambassador’ to make a positive contribution
- The 34-year-old acknowledged the ‘shame’ he brought Australia and his family
- Rush has been in jail for 14 years after the 2005 Bali Nine heroin smuggling plot
The 34-year-old has spent the last 14 years behind bars for his role in the thwarted 2005 heroin smuggling plan
Bali Nine heroin smuggler Scott Rush has vowed to become an anti-drugs campaigner in an emotional letter pleading for his life sentence to be reduced to 14 years.
The 34-year-old has spent the last 14 years behind bars for his role in the thwarted 2005 heroin smuggling plan, that resulted in two Australians – Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran – being sentenced to death by firing squad.
In the letter written from his prison cell in east Bali’s Karangasem, the Queenslander said he is committed to turning his life around.
‘I sincerely apologise to the government and citizens of Indonesia for the shameful impact my action caused to the country of Indonesia and its people,’ the letter, obtained by the Courier Mail, read.
‘I hope my deepest apology is acceptable and I can be forgiven, as I fully regret my deeds.’
Rush was locked up on the Indonesian party island’s notorious Kerobokan prison, where drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was held, but requested a transfer five years ago to get clean from drugs.
In the letter, Rush said he would like to become an ‘anti-drugs ambassador’ to make a positive contribution to society.
In the letter written from his prison cell in east Bali’s Karangasem, Scott Rush (pictured) told Indonesian President Joko Widodo he is committed to turning his life around
In the letter, Rush said he would like to become an ‘anti-drugs ambassador’ to make a positive contribution to society.
‘Firstly, to prevent people from taking drugs by warning them of the associated dangers, and secondly, to help people who have a drug problem to rehabilitate,’ he said.
He said this would be his way of repaying Indonesia for the ‘help’ they have given him.
Rush said he now understands the damage drugs have on people and society as a whole.
‘I support the tremendous anti-drug campaign the Indonesian Government is doing in publicising the destruction drugs do to a country’s society,’ he wrote.
Rush also said he would like to get out as soon as possible to spend time with his ageing parents who have health issues.
The convicted drug smuggler finished his letter by acknowledging the ‘shame and regret’ he has brought Australia and his family.
Rush’s parents Lee and Christine Rush also penned a letter to Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
‘We hope that you can see how much Scott has grown while he has been in custody, and that he is a good person. We hope for you to give him a second chance,’ it read.
‘Our son made the wrong decision many years ago when he was just a nineteen-year-old adolescent.
Rush (pictured) was locked up on the notorious Kerobokan prison, where drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was held, but requested a transfer five years ago to get clean from drugs
The couple said their son is now a ‘wise and mature’ man who has taken responsibility for his mistakes.
But asking for clemency could backfire on Rush, whose previous attempt for his life sentence to be lessened was upgraded to the death penalty. It was, however, later reduced back to life in prison.
His application will be reviewed by the Indonesian Correctional Board.
If it makes it past the correctional board, Rush’s application will be referred to the Ministry who will determine his future.
If successful, Rush could walk free in 2026.