EXCLUSIVE
The five remaining members of the Bali Nine have no idea they are set to return to Australia after almost 15 years behind bars in Balinese prisons.
Australians Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj are all serving life sentences in Indonesia.
In 2005, them and four other Australians were arrested as they attempted to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin strapped to their bodies from the holiday island.
Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died from cancer in 2018, while Renae Lawrence was released in the same year after her life sentence was reduced to 20 years on appeal.
The masterminds of the drug plot, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in 2015 on Nusa Kambangan or ‘Prison Island’.
Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that the remaining five Australians have not been informed of Anthony Albanese’s request to have them flown home.
It’s understood that it’s unlikely the five men will serve life sentences in Australia but could be required to serve at least some additional time behind bars.
Australian Matthew Norman is seen arriving to his sentencing trial in February, 2006
Si Yi Chen (pictured in 2007) was sentenced to death for attempting to smuggle heroin out of Indonesia. He has reportedly been teaching other prisoners how to make silver jewellery
Pictured Top L-R: Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush, Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, Renae Lawrence, and Bottom: Si Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephen and Andrew Chan
Kerobokan Prison Governor Kristyo Nugroho said he has not told the two Australians imprisoned in his jail, Matthew Norman and Si Yi Chen, about the major update because he is yet to receive any official information from Jakarta.
‘They are well, healthy,’ Kristyo said of the conditions of the two men.
The Kerobokan Prison Governor has previously noted that both Norman and Chen had displayed good behaviour behind bars, according to prison sources.
However, Scott Rush was transferred from Kerobokan Prison several years ago as a consequence of his bad behaviour at the time.
The prison governor has recommended that both Norman and Chen are given the opportunity to petition their life sentence every year in a recognition of their efforts towards rehabilitation for themselves and other prisoners.
Norman has been teaching English and trying his hand at t-shirt printing while Chen has been teaching other prisoners how to make silver jewellery.
Meanwhile, Rush spent time at Karangasem Prison before he was transferred to the relatively new high-security Bangli Narcotic Prison after the Mount Agung volcanic erupted at least five times in 2017.
All prisoners from Karangasem prison were moved to various prisons in Bali during the eruption, including Rush.
Rush – whose death sentence was changed to a life sentence in 2011 – is reportedly playing tennis every day in jail and is an active member of the prison church.
Renae Lawrence (pictured behind bars in 2005) is the only Bali Nine member to have been released back into society but has struggled to find normality
Rush (pictured aged 19 in 2005) is reportedly playing tennis every day in Bangli Narcotic Prison where he has become an active member of the prison church
In December, 2019, Rush vowed to become an anti-drugs campaigner in an emotional letter pleading for his life sentence to be reduced.
‘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 read.
The Queenslander said he would like to become an ‘anti-drugs ambassador’ to make a positive contribution to society.
The impassioned letter came after photos were leaked in 2014 which appeared to show Rush smoking crack cocaine in Kerobokan Prison.
Meanwhile, Lawrence, the only Bali Nine member to have been released back into society, said she had struggled to find normality.
She had earlier pleaded for the remaining five prisoners to have their sentences reduced and said remaining behind bars ‘was like a death sentence’.
‘We all did something stupid, we all regret it, but everybody deserves a second chance,’ Lawrence said in February, 2020. ‘If this doesn’t happen, they have got no hope, they’ll lose hope and the end will be devastating.’
The Bali Nine arrest caused widespread controversy because the tip they were carrying drugs came from the Australian Federal Police, who could have allowed them to land in Australia where they wouldn’t have faced the death penalty.
On Friday, coordinating minister for legal affairs, human rights, immigration and corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra told The Weekend Australian Anthony Albanese had requested the prisoners be transferred to Australia.
‘The Indonesia President responded that they are currently reviewing and processing the matter, and it is expected to be carried out in December,’ he said.
He added Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had earlier requested that ‘Australian nationals convicted of drug offences and serving sentences in various prisons be transferred to Australia’.
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