- Payne Haas has received good news ahead of Origin
- His father, Gregor Haas, may not be at risk of being sentenced to death
- Indonesian authorities have softened their stance in the drugs case against him.
Payne Haas received a major update on his father’s drug trafficking case just hours before the biggest game of his life.
NSW Blues enforcer Haas is aiming to secure a famous State of Origin series win in Brisbane tonight when Michael Maguire’s side take on Queensland at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
And he may be spurred by reports that Indonesia has offered to take the death penalty off the table for his father, Gregor Haas, to secure his extradition from the Philippines.
Gregor is wanted for allegedly smuggling 5 kilos of methamphetamine into Indonesia and the harshest punishments are imposed on those found guilty of drug offences.
As a result, the football star’s father was at risk of losing his life if convicted, but The Australian reports that Indonesia’s anti-drugs police have softened their stance.
A letter sent by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its Australian and Philippine counterparts sets out the position.
“We have already sent a letter and we have reached an agreement that we can assure that we will not do that, that he (Mr Haas) will never be sentenced to death. We have promised that,” Commissioner Marthinus Hukom told The Australian.
He added that Indonesia respects Australia’s opposition to capital punishment and that the two nations were seeking a “middle ground” on the issue.
Payne Haas (left) received some big news ahead of the State of Origin III match
Football star Gregor’s father wanted by Indonesian anti-drug authorities
Commissioner Marthinus added that Indonesia is also open to Haas being tried in Australia and that there is a “gentleman’s agreement” with Australian Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw to help expedite Haas’ extradition to Indonesia.
‘That’s what he said, he will help facilitate it because the decision to extradite is not a police decision but is handled by the respective ministries of justice,’ he said.
“It is a process, like when I arrest a foreigner, we have to coordinate with all the relevant agencies that have the authority to extradite. It is not just a legal issue; there are many issues, including political ones… Our legal objective is to seek justice. Whether extradition is carried out or not is a question of political law.”
Gregor has been detained in an immigration detention center since mid-May after being arrested on the island of Cebu. He is suspected of being involved in smuggling $5,000 worth of crystal meth from Mexico to Indonesia last December.
This Queensland father of nine owns several properties in Indonesia.
But he may now be spared the death penalty following negotiations with Australian officials.
“In other countries, the death penalty has been abolished. That is why, when it comes to crimes committed in other countries, we mutually respect each other’s laws,” Marthinus said.
“I respect the Australian government for valuing the lives of every person and protecting its citizens. Every country in the world has an obligation to protect its citizens, even if they commit crimes. This is also practiced in Indonesia.
“In the case of Gregor Haas we must continue to coordinate. We have had a good relationship with the AFP for many years and they have helped us a lot in various investigations.”