The new president of Indonesia has reportedly approved a deal to transfer the remaining Bali Nine drug smugglers back to Australia.

The Bali Times has reported President Prabowo Subianto has agreed in principle to proceed with sending the five remaining group members back to home soil.

“Regarding the Bali Nine, I emphasise once again, the President has agreed in principle to proceed with the transfer process,” the outlet quoted Law and Human Rights Minister Supratman Andi Atgas as saying.

Bali Nine: (from left) Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, Scott Rush, Michael Czugaj. (Composite)

“While I cannot confirm a specific timeline, the President’s agreement allows us to move forward with preparations.”

The “Bali Nine” was the nickname given to a group of nine Australians who were caught trying to smuggle more than 8.3 kilograms of heroin out of Indonesia in 2005.

The group, including Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Renae Lawrence, were arrested after Australian Federal Police tipped off the Indonesian authorities.

Chan and Sukumaran were executed in 2015, while the rest were sentenced to life in prison.

Bali Nine members Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan in a holding cell at Denpasar Court in February 2006. (AAP)
Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan were executed in Indonesia.

Lawrence successfully appealed to have her sentence reduced to 20 years and was released after serving 13.

Nguyen developed stomach cancer and died in prison in 2018.

However, this may not translate into freedom. Although details of the deal are not known, it’s expected Indonesia will demand the smugglers continue to serve out their sentences.

You May Also Like

Zoë Kravitz reveals Taylor Swift took her in during LA fires — and confesses to ‘destroying’ part of singer’s home

Zoë Kravitz has revealed that she stayed at Taylor Swift’s sprawling Beverly…

Footy WAG claims she had to move on from her job because of her social media posts

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:18 EDT, 13 August…

Denzel Washington rips Jerry Jones, state of the Cowboys on ‘First Take’

Celebrity Cowboys fan and Hollywood A-lister Denzel Washington ripped owner Jerry Jones…

Police launch murder probe after man's body found in Logan park

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was found dead…