Jakarta Globe
Aussie ‘Illegals’ Out of Jail, Await Appeal
Five Australians jailed in Papua Province for entering the country illegally have been released from prison for “humanitarian reasons,” but remain banned from leaving the city of Merauke until their appeals against their convictions are heard.
Controversy surrounds the Merauke District Court’s jailing of pilot William Henry Scott-Bloxam, 62, for three years for landing in the region without the required documents. His passengers — his 54-year-old wife, Vera; Hubert Hufer, 57; Karen Burke, 51; and Keith Ronald Mortimer, 60 — were jailed for two years each.
“They have been in city detention since Friday,” said Efrem Fangohoy, a lawyer for the five.
Fangohoy confirmed that the Australians had requested release because “they are old and frequently sick.”
He also said that William and Vera’s son had died in Australia and the pair were in a state of shock.
“They are staying in a rented house in Merauke while waiting for the appeals process,” Fangohoy said.
In his appeal, Fangohoy argued that under immigration law, Vera Scott-Bloxam should not have been charged since she was acting as a flight attendant.
“We also want an expert witness to testify before the court,” he said.
Scott-Bloxam landed his plane at Merauke’s Mopah Airport on Sep. 12, 2008, thinking they could obtain visas on arrival. They were immediately detained for not having security clearance.
Prosecutors in Merauke District Court charged William Henry Scott-Bloxam with violating aviation law by flying to Indonesia without a permit. The other four were charged with violating immigration law for entering Indonesia without visas.
It was argued in court that the Australians were expecting to obtain visas on arrival, which are available at the country’s major international airports.