‘Bali nine’ trio’s death sentences overturned

By Jakarta correspondent Geoff Thompson

Sydney man Matthew Norman and the rest of the ‘Malasti three’ previously had their sentences increased to the death penalty. (File photo) (Reuters: Murdani Usman)

Three of the ‘Bali nine’ drug couriers have had their death sentences reduced to life in jail.

Matthew Norman, Thanh Duc Tan Nguyen and Si Yi Chen were known as the ‘Malasti three’ because they were arrested in a hotel of that name on April 17, 2005.

The trio had their sentences increased to the death penalty by Indonesia’s Supreme Court in August of 2006.

Now, a different panel of judges within the same Supreme Court has decided on their final appeal, known as judicial reviews, and reduced their death sentences to life imprisonment.

The decision is also positive for fellow drug courier Scott Rush, who is yet to lodge his final appeal.

Rush given fresh hope in death penalty fight

By Jakarta correspondent Geoff Thompson

Fight for life: Scott Rush behind bars (AFP: Arizona Sudiro)

A lawyer for convicted drug smuggler Scott Rush hopes he will be spared the death penalty now that three fellow members of the ‘Bali nine’ have had their sentences reduced to life in prison.

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