Australia announces return of 'Bali Nine' drug traffickers

Australia  announces return of 'Bali Nine' drug  traffickers.
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Australia has announced the  return of five remaining members of the "Bali Nine"  drug-trafficking ring after  nearly 20 years in  an Indonesian  prison.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on social media: "I am pleased to confirm that Australian  citizens Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens have returned to Australia this afternoon."
He thanked  Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto "for his  compassion."
The high-profile case began in 2005 when Indonesia  arrested nine young Australians  who were trying to smuggle  8.3 kg (18 lb) of heroin  from Bali. Not a valid attachment ID.
Getty Images A composite  image of  photos of the Bali Nine, some behind  bars and each  in white  clothing Getty  Images
Members of the Bali Nine (clockwise from top left) Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush, Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, Renae Lawrence, Andrew Chan, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephen and Si Yi Chen
The eight men and one woman were arrested at an airport and  a hotel in Bali after a tip-off from Australian  police.
The case made  headlines around the world when two of the gang's  leaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in 2015 - sparking a row with  Australia. Following the executions, Australia recalled its ambassador to Indonesia, although he returned to Jakarta five weeks  later.
The other members of the Bali Nine were  sentenced to life  imprisonment.
The case  highlighted Indonesia's strict drug laws,  among the  strictest in the  world.
One of the nine, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died of cancer in 2018. Shortly afterwards, Renae Lawrence, then 41, the only woman  in the group, had her sentence commuted after  serving almost 13 years in  prison. The Australian government said of the five men's return:  "These men have the opportunity to  pursue their personal rehabilitation and reintegration in Australia."
It expressed  its "deep  gratitude" to Indonesia for allowing them to return home on humanitarian  grounds.
Australian broadcaster ABC  said the men  were "truly free to live unhindered in Australian  society."

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