One of the Bali Nine, a group of young Australians convicted in Indonesia of drug smuggling has escaped death row, but his supporters say the court victory is bittersweet.
In a final appeal to the Indonesian Supreme Court, the sentence for Scott Rush was reduced from the death penalty. But he will spend the rest of his life in a Bali prison.
Rush, 24, wanted his sentence reduced to 15 years.
The ABC reports Rush was convicted of attempting to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin from Bali into Australia in 2005.
He was caught with heroin strapped to his body,
His legal team argued he was a courier and not the mastermind of the operation.
It is understood the Supreme Court granted his appeal on the basis that he had shown remorse for his actions, while also citing his age at the time as a mitigating factor.
The ring leaders still face the firing squad.
Rush's lawyer says his client has now exhausted all legal avenues, but is likely to apply for clemency from the Indonesian president.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd confirmed the Indonesian court's decision in Federal Parliament on Tuesday night.
He said the government remains in close touch with Mr Rush and his family.
'''Mr Rush's parents have been informed. As parents they have shouldered a heavy burden over these years of waiting.''
Former parish priest Father Tim Harris says Lee and Christine Rush are relieved.
