Friends defend five facing Papuan jail as spies | The Courier-Mail dated 3 Oct
Has anyone seen or heard of further news?
Scotty & Vera have always seemed to exist "larger than life". Hope they get this sorted soon.
FIVE Queenslanders are facing seven years' jail in a West Papuan hellhole after a joyflight into the strife-torn province went horribly wrong.
The five people, from Cooktown and Thursday Island, have been accused of being spies and gun-runners for rebels.
But close friends yesterday angrily dismissed suggestions the group had been on a clandestine mission.
Pilot William Scott-Bloxam, his wife, Vera, and their passengers, Keith Mortimer, Hubert Hofer and Karen Burke, failed to get proper visa approval before flying from Thursday Island to Merauke.
The "fun-loving mates" have been detained in the southern city of the Indonesian province on immigration offences for three weeks.
Authorities said it was understood the group would face court to be formally charged or negotiate their release on October 6.
Mrs Scott-Bloxham, who owns an eco-resort in Cooktown, said by phone from her Merauke compound yesterday that she was "in good spirits".
"They are taking a 'keep the chin up' attitude," said one close mate.
"They are not spies or rebel gun-runners, they just stuffed up thinking they could get their visa clearance when they landed."
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said the group had been held for not having flight, security or immigration approvals.
He said two consular officials were in Merauke attempting to safeguard their welfare while negotiating the approvals.
Mr Scott-Bloxam, a former 747 pilot who owns Cape York Air Transport and was reportedly scouting tourism opportunities, already has paid a $3800 fine for landing without authorisation.