Three Australian men have been sentenced to seven months in prison in Indonesia for entering the country without valid visas. They are expected to be released and deported to Australia this month, after time served. In a related development, a second Australian man has been charged in Australia with people smuggling in connection with the flight that transported two of the men to Indonesia.
Sentencing and Deportation in Indonesia
Zulfukar Aljubouri, Duong Tan Le, and Jay Victor Davis were found guilty of entering Indonesia without a valid visa. Indonesian authorities sentenced them to seven months in prison and a fine. With time already served, the three men are expected to be released and deported to Australia.
Timeline of the Flight
- November 17, 2025: An aircraft landed at an airstrip in Port Stewart, Far North Queensland, Australia.
- Australian Federal Police allege that two men boarded the plane at that airstrip.
- The aircraft is alleged to have operated with its transponder turned off during takeoff and while over Australian airspace. The transponder was reportedly turned back on above international waters.
- The aircraft landed in Merauke, Indonesia.
- Indonesian officials arrested three Australian men and an Indonesian co-pilot.
Background of the Fugitives
Court documents identify Zulfukar Aljubouri and Duong Tan Le as the two men who boarded the flight in Australia. According to Australian authorities:
- One individual is on bail for an alleged kidnapping.
- The other has outstanding warrants for alleged large commercial drug supply and manufacture.
During the trial in Indonesia, Aljubouri testified that he and Le were partners in a tobacco business and were fleeing due to threats from a competitor. He stated they agreed to pay $100,000 through an intermediary for the flight, and planned to travel to Iran and Vietnam, respectively.
Charges in Australia
Grant Bernard Schultz, the operator of a Rockhampton charter company, has been charged with two counts of people smuggling in connection with organizing the flight.
Jay Victor Davis, a 32-year-old man from Brisbane, was arrested at Brisbane Airport upon returning from Indonesia. He has been charged with two counts of people smuggling, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. Davis is alleged to have been one of two pilots on the flight. He was granted bail, and his case is adjourned until September.
Statements from Authorities
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer stated that "black flights" (flights operating with transponders off) are costly and dangerous, and participants risk their lives and those on board.
Reaction
Jay Davis's lawyer, Erwin Siregar, said his client accepted the outcome in Indonesia and wants to see his parents and wife.