Bali Nine mules catch break!
Members of the Bali Nine heroin trafficking gang, have received a major reduction in their sentences. Renae Lawence, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Si Yi Chen and Matthew Norman, all had their life sentences reduced to 20 years. That’s great news for the individuals themselves and their families.
The 2 youngest members of the gang missed out. Michael Czujai has not heard the verdict of his appeal, but will probably recieve a similar reduction. Scott Rush decided not to appeal, afraid that his life sentence could be bumped up to a death sentence. Martin Stephens also awaits the verdict of his appeal.
While 20 years in an Indonesian jail, might sound like a nightmare to some people, you have to remember these people were looking at never getting out. Indonesia frequently give sentence reductions, and they won’t have to serve the whole 20 years. I feel good that a ray of hope has come along for them.
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
Nick,
It’s being reported here that Michael Czugai has also had his sentence reduced to twenty years. However Martin Stephens has had his life sentence confirmed, apparently his case was before a different set of Judges.
I’m interested that you think that this 20 year sentence is a ray of light. You’re right that they didn’t have an icicle’s chance in hell of getting out of there, it does seem incongruous that these kids, who smuggled something as heavy as heroin, receive the same jail-time that Corby received for something as (comparatively) inocuous as marajuana. Don’t you think that the Indonesian judiciary is using our citizens to prove a point? Fair enough, but is it really appropriate in the current climate to give Australia a lesson in tough love?
Georgia,
I’ve done some research into the Indonesian justice system, and aside from it being as predictable as the local weather at the microscopic level, at the general level like the seasons it tends to have some uniformity. In Indonesea for every on year of good behaviour you can have upto 8 months(2/3ds) of your time pardoned. In other words a 20 year sentences may have you out in 5-6 years with credit for time already served since your first day of your arrest. If these kids act like God’s favorite little angels they may be out in as little as 4-5 years from today. But that is only if they live out thier incarcerations with very bright Halos over thier heads. And IMHO 5-6 years time served is a very just sentence for what they did.
First of all I don’t think it’s “tough love”, i think it’s a reasonable sentence. Remembering with remissions etc. they could be out in about 9-11yrs, yes its a long time, but you’ve got to send a message “DO NOT SMUGGLE DRUGS”. at least they got a break, if it was Singapore, the only break they’d get, is a broken neck.
This ain’t over yet tho’, the Prosecutors could appeal to the Supreme Court in Jakata.
Alan,
If they had stayed on a life sentence they would be out in 9-11 years but now that it’s down to 20 years they may be out in about 5-6.
I remember when I was 17-19yo and acting like a fool. Scott, Michael, Matthew and Si-yi should not have thier liove destroyed for making stupid mistake at that age. They knew it was wrong but what is the point of rehabliltaion when your life has been destroyed.
My sentencing guidlines would have bees as follows:
Scott, Michael and Si-Yi 5 years with possible parole in 3, because of thier tender age and it was thier first time.
Stephen and Reanee(sp) 10 years with possible parole in 7 becasue they are older and should have known better. A Chance for Parole only because of their cooperation.
Matthew 12 years with parole in 8 because he had done it before and because he recruited others.
Nguyen and Sukurman 20 years parole in 15 becasue he financed the operation.
And Andrew Chen 25 Years parole in 20 for being the big Kahuna.
I really feel for these kids. They did wrong, no one denies this, but if want to rehabilitate people, you have to be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Life is hell over there, and I would hate to think that my son or daughter could one day be in the same situation and no one seems to care. I would very much like to write to Renea and let her know that people do still care, and she hasn’t been forgotten, nor have any of the others. Does anyone know how I can contact her, and what the contact address is? I would so very much appreciate it.
<insert prisoner name.
C/- LPM Kerobokan
Jl. Tangkuban Perahu
Kerobokan, Denpasar 80117
Bali, INDONESIA
note this is from the foreign prisoner support website.
Nick, pay them a quick visit quick before they get away!
This is great news indeed. I was right. Those kids will be out within a few years if this appeal holds water. As for Scott,( my fave of the Bunch because he kept his cool and chin up)he’ll need to appeal A.S.A.P. so he can get out with the rest!!
I.M.O. I think Martin Stephen will sweat it out a tiny bit more only because of his age. After all he was a full fledged 28yo adult and not a kid when he embarked on this endavor.
As for the ring leaders, I still say let them rot. To hell with them.