Indonesia did not commute the sentences of the remaining five, now aged between 38 and 48, and they were transported back to Australia as prisoners. However, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that men can live freely in Australian society.
The five have been banned from entering Indonesia for life, according to a statement from the government’s press secretary.
On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to several of the men’s “grateful” parents.
“They committed a serious crime and they justly paid a serious price for it. But it’s time for them to return home,” he told reporters.
He said the deal did not come with conditions or favors that Australia would have to repay: “This is an act of compassion from President Prabov (Subiant) and we thank him for that.”
The men and their families also said they were “very grateful” to Prabowo.
They also thanked the lawyers, diplomats and statesmen who have helped advocate for them over the past two decades before asking for privacy.
“Men’s well-being is a priority, they will need time and support, and we hope and trust that our media and community will facilitate that.”
The five men were being medically assessed at the Howard Springs facility in Darwin, which has been used for quarantine during the pandemic, and will then begin a voluntary “rehabilitation process”, Education Minister Jason Clare said. It is not yet clear what this means and how long the men will stay there.
“When you’re in prison for the better part of two decades, it’s going to take some time for these people to rehabilitate and reintegrate into Australian society,” Mr Clare told the ABC.
He added that normal visa procedures would apply to any Indonesian family members of the men who did not follow them to Australia.
