By Angela Marie Watkins
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Prosecutors are continuing to hinder the release of five Australians detained in Papua for the past nine months, even though Indonesia’s Supreme Court has cleared them of wrongdoing, the group’s lawyer says.

The so-called “Merauke Five” were arrested last September for flying their small aircraft into Papua without visas or flight clearance.

On Wednesday, Merauke District Court officials received from Jakarta the paperwork that will enable them to return the five Australians’ passports and let the pilot, William Scott-Bloxam, fire up his twin-engined aircraft. However, the group’s lawyer, Mohammad Rifan, says he fears prosecutors may yet raise further hurdles.

“They still have not lifted the ban that prevents them leaving. They say they have to ask the attorney-general’s office for guidance to do this,” said Rifan. “But it seems like there is an effort from prosecutors to hinder the process.”

Earlier, Scott-Bloxham had been given a three year jail term and each of his passengers two-year terms, but their convictions were overturned in March. However, before they could get out of Indonesia, they were banned from leaving while prosecutors appealed to the Supreme Court.

Lawyer Efrem Fangohoy said he expected the bureaucratic process could still have them on the ground in Papua until the end of this week.

For more information, please see:
The Sydney Morning Herald – Australians delayed from leaving Papua – 17 June 2009

The Australian –  Australians detained in Indonesia closer to freedom – 17 June 2009

New Zealand International Radio – “Merauke Five” could still be hindered from returning to Australia – 17 June 2009