Vigils planned for Toronto, Calgary for former Burlington man in Indonesian jail

The family of a former Burlington resident who is imprisoned in Indonesia is planning a pair of vigils on his behalf in major Canadian cities.

The events are planned to mark the two-year anniversary of Neil Bantleman's incarceration. The now 47-year-old was initially detained on July 14, 2014, and for the past two years has been in and out of jail in Jakarta.

Bantleman and his family maintain that he is the victim of unfounded accusations, an improper trial and been denied human rights.

Bantleman and teaching assistant Ferdinant Tjiong were found guilty in April 2015 of sexual assault on three boys at the Jakarta International School (now Jakarta Intercultural School), where the co-workers and friends were employed.

Both had pled not guilty and continue to declare their innocence.

Their convictions were eventually overturned with both men released on Aug. 14, 2015.

However Bantleman, a dual citizen of Canada and Great Britain, never had his passport returned and had to remain in the country as an appeal by prosecutors to the Supreme Court appeared imminent.

An appeal was launched and the acquittals were overturned by the Indonesian Supreme Court in February of this year, with and extra year added to both men's 10-year prison sentences.

Neil turned himself into police a short time later.

Since then the pair has been in jail awaiting the latest decision in writing from the Supreme Court.

Bantleman has been visited regularly by his wife Tracy, also an employee of the Jakarta Intercultural School.

Guy Bantleman of Burlington, Neil's younger brother and the family spokesperson, said a protest will occur at the Indonesian Consulate in Toronto on Thursday, July 14 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

"This peaceful protest is to draw attention to this ongoing saga and highlight the injustice and denial of human rights. The protest will also request a full, impartial and transparent review of the case during the Judicial Review process," Guy said in an email to the Post.

In Calgary, a similar vigil will be held from 7-9 p.m. the same day at the CNIB Centre on Memorial Drive. Guy will attend the Calgary vigil.

"The support Neil has received has been incredible and has come from around the world. While we are disappointed that this nightmare continues, we are focused and resolute to bring this case to a successful conclusion and bring Neil home," he added.

The Bantlemans' parents, Corinne, 83, and Hugh, 84, live in Burlington, where Neil grew up. He attended Maplehurst elementary school and Aldershot H.S.

Source: Vigils planned for Toronto, Calgary for former Burlington man in Indonesian jail