Burlington teacher freed in Indonesia

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Updated: Neil’s brother Guy Bantleman joined us on Morning Live.

The family of a Burlington teacher jailed in Indonesia is ecstatic as they celebrate the release of Neil Bantleman and teaching assistant Ferdi Tjiong from jail.

A picture from one of their colleagues shows the men celebrating with their wives following their release, early this morning our time.

Last night it was announced that an appeals court had overturned the convictions against the two men for sexual abuse of kindergarten age boys.

Their fortunes finally appeared to turn on Monday when a district court threw out the civil case brought by the mother of one of the children against the school, saying there was no proof that any of the alleged abuses had actually taken place.

Throughout the ordeal both men maintained their innocence.    Their trial was widely criticized for presenting evidence that was inconsistent and sometimes contradictory.

New evidence from medical reports from three different hospitals in Jakarta and Singapore showed no major injuries or abnormalities in the three children.

Neil’s brother Guy Bantleman says the family expects Neil to stay in Indonesia for at least the next three days before returning to Canada for family reunions in Calgary and Burlington.

Photo courtesy Dan Machacek, Jakarta Intercultural School