The Bishop of Townsville has received an emotional message from Scott Rush’s father after his release from Indonesian prison, bringing back a sense of hope for the entire family. The group of five, including Michael Czugaj, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, and Martin Stephens, has returned to Australia after serving 19 years in prison on humanitarian grounds.
The men were granted clemency by Indonesia’s president Prabowo Subianto and are expected to receive support from the Australian government for their rehabilitation and reintegration. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that his government would provide aid, saying “After 19 years in Indonesian prison, it was time for them to come home.”
However, the family faces challenges ahead, including health issues and adjusting to a society they may no longer recognize. Bishop Timothy Harris, who provided pastoral care to the families, warned that joining Australian society could be difficult, especially considering the personal relationships some of the men formed in Indonesia.
The repatriation deal includes terms that state the men cannot return to Indonesia, but it’s unclear if their spouses will be issued visas. The opposition leader Peter Dutton acknowledged that while the men may not be heroes, they deserve compassion and understanding from the public.
Indonesia’s senior minister for legal affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the deal was “reciprocal in nature,” with both countries obligated to consider each other’s requests. However, the details of any potential “payback arrangements” remain unclear.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/16/bali-9-australia-return-scott-rush-michael-czugaj-townsville-bishop-timothy-harris