Scott Rush, the youngest member of the Bali Nine, is pleading for forgiveness while the Indonesian Supreme Court continues to deliberate upon the heroin smuggler’s motion to reconsider his death sentence.
The Bali Nine is a nickname for nine people arrested in Denpasar, Bali on April 17, 2005 in an attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilograms of heroin from Indonesia to Australia.
In a handwritten letter sent to Australian Parliament member Chris Hayes, Rush expressed remorse, especially for causing his parents “hurt and pain”.
“I have been here over 5 years now. I have experienced a lot,” he wrote.
He also expressed his willingness to change if his motion was granted, writing that he hoped to have the chance to prove he was capable of reform.
“I want to give back to my community and be an ambassador against drugs,” he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was made available to The Jakarta Post.
Rush, then 19, was sentenced to death in 2006 by the Supreme Court. He now resides in Kerobokan Prison, Denpasar, which he called “Death Tower” in his letter.
Bali Nine ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran also received death sentences; the remaining six were sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.
Rush wrote the letter on July 16 — the same day his attorneys submitted a motions to reconsider his death sentence to Indonesia’s Supreme Court through the Denpasar District Court. The letter reflected his tension in waiting for the court’s decision.
“I cannot sleep,” he said.
The appeal requested that his death sentence be commuted to a sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment. It also said Rush’s sentence was unfair when compared to other Bali Nine members who received lighter sentences and ignored mitigating factors such as Rush’s cooperation with police, his young age and remorse, as previously reported.
“So this is my last chance to write to you before I know whether I live or die,” he wrote.
Rush expressed his gratitude to former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd and senators Barnaby Joyce and Gary Humphries.
Rush concluded the letter by asking for people to pray for him.
“I continue to pray every night and day,” he finished.
The Indonesian government has said that it was very serious about drug smuggling and in its handling of the three Bali Nine members sentenced to death.
It said it was also aware that the international community was monitoring the case closely and the court’s ruling would focus on fairness.
Local and foreign observers expressed doubts on the court’s ability to arrive at a fair verdict given the country’s incapable and corrupt judicial system, which is notorious for its controversial and confusing rulings.
District and high court prosecutors asked for a life sentence for Rush, which was augmented to a death sentence by the Supreme Court. (gze)
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