Australia says talks ongoing for release of ‘Bali Nine’ prisoners

SYDNEY: The remaining members of the “Bali Nine” drug ring could be released from Indonesia and returned to Australia if “ongoing” talks succeed, a minister said on Sunday.

Indonesian police arrested the nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin off the holiday island of Bali.

In a case that drew global attention to Indonesia´s unforgiving drug laws, two of the gang would eventually be executed by firing squad, while others served hefty prison sentences.

Trade Minister Don Farrell said Australia was pushing to repatriate the five men who remained jailed in Indonesia.

“The discussions are ongoing,” he told Sky News Australia.

“They would continue to serve their sentence, except they´re serving them in Australia.

“We will see what happens in the days and weeks ahead.”

Australia´s foreign affairs department said it was “providing consular support to the men and their families” and it would continue to “advocate for the men´s interests”.

Accused ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in 2015 despite repeated pleas from the Australian government.