Indonesia plans to repatriate prisoners from Australia, France, and the Philippines before the end of the year, according to a minister on Thursday.
Among the notable detainees is Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina domestic worker who was spared from execution, and the remaining members of the "Bali Nine" from Australia, all convicted on drug-related charges.
“Our target is to complete the transfer of prisoners before the end of December,” said Yusril Ihza Mahendra, a senior official.
The announcement follows Yusril’s statement last week that President Prabowo Subianto has approved the transfer of Mary Jane Veloso, a detainee from the Philippines.
Ang nakakulong na nahatulan ng bitay ay nabigyan ng pansamantalang pagtigil sa bitay noong 2015, limang taon matapos siyang mahuli na may dalang maletang may nakatagong 2.6 kilo (5.7 pounds) ng heroin.
Sinabi ni Veloso, na ang kaso ay nagdulot ng matinding pagkilos sa Pilipinas, noong nakaraang linggo na siya ay “labis na nasisiyahan” matapos marinig na maaari na siyang makauwi.
Negotiations are also ongoing with Canberra for the transfer of five Australians arrested in 2005 as part of a drug ring.
Two members of the "Bali Nine" group were executed by firing squad, one died of cancer, and another was released in 2018.
Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, and Martin Stephens remain in prison after being convicted of attempting to smuggle over eight kilos of heroin from the island of Bali. Yusril stated that he would discuss their case during the visit of Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke next week.
The Indonesian minister also stated that they are in communication with Paris “regarding the possibility of transferring a French citizen,” but he did not name the prisoner.
Yusril reiterated Jakarta's desire for the detainees to serve their sentences in their respective countries.
"We are transferring them to their countries so they can serve their sentences there, but if the countries wish to grant them amnesty, we respect that. It is their right," he said.
