National Post (National Edition)
Calgary teacher released from Indonesia prison
Canadian served five years, says he’s innocent
Former Calgary teacher Neil Bantleman has been released from an Indonesian prison and is back in Canada after five years of incarceration.
Bantleman, who was convicted for abusing students in his care in what his supporters call dubious circumstances, was freed in late June and quickly flew back to Canada.
That freedom came after years of relentless pressure and lobbying from family members, other supporters and the Canadian government.
“We’re obviously elated to have Neil home,” said his brother Guy. “It’s obviously been a very trying time and it took various levels of government and negotiations at the very highest levels to have this resolved.”
Neil, he said, returned to Canada with his wife, Tracy, “where there were a lot of tears and hugging ... he’s good, he’s reintegrating.”
In a statement released Thursday, Neil thanked his family, supporters “around the world” and the Canadian government, while reiterating his innocence.
“Five years ago I was wrongfully accused and convicted of crimes I did not commit and furthermore never occurred,” he said.
“I applied for clemency which I am pleased was granted by Indonesia last month, upholding essential justice and human rights. Tracy and I are very happy to be home and reunited with our family.”
A photo released by his family shows a bearded, newly freed Bantleman clad in a Canada T-shirt holding his wife.
Last month, Guy Bantleman said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been personally involved in efforts to free his brother, a former teacher at Calgary’s Webber Academy.
He wouldn’t elaborate on any agreement that led to the release but said it was one that could be seen as mutually beneficial to his family and Indonesian authorities.
“There was constant diplomatic-type pressure where everyone’s goals could be achieved,” said Bantleman, who lives in Hamilton, Ont.
“We’ve been working on this for the past 18 months.”
Also last month, Guy Bantleman said securing his brother’s freedom was becoming more urgent due to his encroaching blindness caused by macular degeneration.
“It’s another hurdle,” he said.
And there were also fears he could be released but forbidden to leave Indonesia for a period of time which could have meant his mother, in her late 80s, might never see him again.
Neil Bantleman was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of sexually abusing students at the Jakarta International School where he taught.
Critics of that decision have insisted all along it was based on faulty, fabricated evidence.
Bantleman’s co-accused, Indonesian Ferdi Tijon, remains in prison.
Tijon, Guy said, had been a considerable help to his brother while in prison, given his knowledge of the Indonesian language.
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