'Elated' journalists fly back to UK after Indonesia jail ordeal

Two journalists who were jailed in Indonesia for violating immigration laws will land back on British soil today.

British film-makers Neil Bonner, 32, and Becky Prosser 31, said they were "elated" to be out of prison after they were jailed for two and a half months for filming without the correct visa.

They were arrested and detained in May while making a documentary about piracy in the strait of Malacca for the London-based production company Wall to Wall.

Foreign journalists need to obtain a special visa to report in Indonesia.

The documentary-makers were released last week with time served having being detained for over five months.

They will land at Heathrow Airport today where they will be greeted by friends and family.

In a statement they said: "We are elated to be out of prison and can't wait to be reunited with our friends and families at home, who were behind us every step of the way.

"We're both still thinking of the good friends we made in prison who remain there, in difficult circumstances. Our fellow inmates supported us through our imprisonment. We can't thank them enough and we're hoping they are ok.

"For our families, friends and ourselves, the ordeal is nearly over now and we're looking forward to returning to normal life, the work that we love and the people we cherish."

Miss Prosser's MP Harriet Harman, the former Labour interim leader tweeted on November 2: "More than delighted that journalist Rebecca Prosser to return home to her family, friends and her important work."

A Facebook group set up to welcome the two home read: "We will all be meeting in Heathrow at 11am - dressed in stripes - to welcome home two incredible people.

"Stripe-up and please join us in welcoming Becky and Neil home!"

On Facebook Mr Bonner's friend Anthony Mark Saul wrote: "Whilst it is a time to celebrate the imminent return of my legendary housemate ?#?NeilBonner? it also a time to reflect on the often heroic sacrifices made by journalists and filmmakers like him who risk so much in order to bring us untold stories from around the world."