The last five members of the so-called Bali Nine, a group of Australians who were convicted of smuggling heroin nearly two decades ago, have been released from prison in Indonesia and are back in Australia, according to the authorities in both countries.
The men’s repatriation ends a long saga that captivated the Australian public, involving young people who in 2005 tried to board a flight in Bali, the Indonesian island that is a popular tourist destination, with heroin strapped to their bodies. The case was a diplomatic sore spot between the nations for years.
The five men, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj, arrived in Australia on Sunday afternoon, officials said. Of their four co-defendants, two, who were considered ringleaders, were executed by firing squad in 2015. Another died in prison, of cancer, in 2018, and one was released due to good behavior in 2018.
Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, declined to say exactly how many troops were deploying, citing operational security.
“In recent weeks, a conversation around whether to change how we allocate our Electoral College votes has returned to the forefront,” Mr. McDonnell said in a statement on Monday. “I respect the desire of some of my colleagues to have this discussion, and I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”
Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, called the five men’s return an “act of compassion” on the part of Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto. Mr. Prabowo, a feared former general who was once barred from entering the United States because of his human rights record, was elected president this year and has been trying to recast himself as a diplomatically savvy statesman.
Yusril Ihza Mahendra, an Indonesian minister who oversees law and penitentiary affairs, said the men had not been granted pardons and were being transferred as prisoners, according to Antara, a government-run news agency. Mr. Mahendra said their repatriation was based on reciprocity and that Australia would give similar considerations in return, the agency reported.
Mr. Albanese said in a statement that the men “will now have the opportunity to continue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration here in Australia.” The government gave few details about their arrival, but Australian news outlets reported that because the countries have no prisoner transfer agreement, the men will be free to live their lives.
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