Three Australian men are expected to be deported to Australia from Indonesia this month, after taking a “black flight” into Indonesia’s South Papua province and serving time in an Indonesian jail.
Alleged Sydney fugitives Zulfukar Aljubouri and Duong Tan Le were found guilty by a District Court in Merauke of entering Indonesia without a valid visa.
Zulfukar Aljubouri and Duong Tan Le were not listed on the aircraft’s certificate of clearance. (ABC News)
Queensland-based pilot Jay Victor Davis was found guilty of assisting the two.
Australian Federal Police allege two Sydney men were picked up on November 17 at an airstrip in Port Stewart in Far North Queensland by a plane that was operating with its transponder turned off.
The three men, including Jay Davis, are expected to be released and deported to Australia this month. (ABC News)
The aircraft later turned its transponder back on when over international waters.
The men landed in Merauke, with Mr Aljubouri and Mr Le not listed on the aircraft’s certificate of clearance.
Indonesian officials arrested the three Australians, along with an Indonesian co-pilot.
Defendant describes being shot at, threatened
At trial, Zulfukar Aljubouri gave evidence that he and Mr Le were partners in a tobacco business and were fleeing because they had received threats from a competitor.
Mr Aljubouri told the court that his house had been shot at, prompting him and Mr Le to flee.
At trial, Zulfukar Aljubouri gave evidence that he and Mr Le were partners in a tobacco business. (ABC News)
He told the court they agreed to pay $100,000 through an intermediary for the flight to Merauke.
Mr Aljubouri also gave evidence that he and Mr Le planned to travel to their countries of birth, Iran and Vietnam respectively.
All three have been sentenced to seven months in jail and a fine, but with time served. (ABC News)
The two alleged fugitives were sentenced by the court two weeks ago, while pilot Mr Davis was sentenced today.
All three have been sentenced to seven months in jail and a fine, but with time served, they are expected to be released and deported to Australia this month.
The aircraft they flew in has been confiscated as evidence.
Jay Davis’s lawyer, Erwin Siregar, said his client wanted to see his parents and wife. (ABC News)
Mr Davis’s lawyer Erwin Siregar, said that his client accepted the outcome of the sentencing.
“He wants to see his parents and wife; the judge’s decision is acceptable,” he said.
Rockhampton-based Grant Schultz leaves Ipswich Magistrates Court after being granted bail earlier this year. (ABC News: Tobi Loftus)
The operator of the Rockhampton charter company, Grant Bernard Schultz, has been charged with two counts of people smuggling.