PM meets family of teacher jailed in Indonesia

The family of a Canadian teacher convicted in Indonesia on childabuse charges says it met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week to discuss next steps in the case.

Neil Bantleman has maintained his innocence since he was accused of abusing three children at an international school in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

His brother, Guy Bantleman, said the family’s meeting with the prime minister took place on Thursday while Trudeau was in Burlington, Ont., and focused on the government’s next opportunity to bring up his brother’s plight with Indonesian officials.

He said officials plan to raise the issue with the Indonesian delegation at next month’s AsiaPacific Economic Co-operation summit in Vietnam.

Last year, Indonesia’s Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s decision to clear Neil Bantleman of all charges and sent him back to prison on an 11-year sentence.

Bantleman was arrested in July 2014 and his case has dragged through the Indonesian justice system ever since.

The 48-year-old was initially convicted and handed a 10-year prison sentence, but was released after the decision was overturned.

He was put behind bars once again when Indonesia’s highest court quashed his acquittal.

Bantleman’s family has maintained that he is the victim of a corrupt Indonesian justice system.

Guy Bantleman said his brother is encouraged by every interaction the family has with the government, particularly with Trudeau.