Jakarta (ANTARA) – At least 26 Indonesians who allegedly fell victim to human trafficking in Myanmar have been repatriated to Indonesia under the escort of some parties, including a National Police (Polri) attaché.
“On Friday, May 26, 2023, at 2:06 a.m local time, some 26 Indonesian trafficked victims arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport from Don Muang Airport, Bangkok, accompanied by the Polri’s attaché,” head of the Polri’s Public Information Bureau, Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan, informed here on Friday.
He said the return process of the victims was also supported by the research attaché and the protocol and consular function of the Indonesian embassy in Myanmar.
Upon their arrival in Jakarta, they were handed over by the director of Indonesian citizen protection of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to the Social Affairs Ministry.
“The victims were placed in a shelter house and trauma center (RPTC),” he said.
The National Police’s International Relations Department, Crime Investigation Department, the Health Ministry, and other stakeholders also oversaw their return process.
Meanwhile, investigators determined two suspects related to the trafficking case.
The suspects, identified by their initials as ASD and ASN, were arrested in Bekasi, West Java.
Both were charged under Law No.21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of Human Trafficking or Law No.18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers.
Earlier, the director of general crime at Bareskim, Brig. Gen. Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, said his office will conduct an examination of the victims.
“After they return, we will conduct an investigation and deepening process because there are other matters related to the investigation that need deepening,” he said on April 16.
On May 5, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi highlighted the increasing number of human trafficking cases involving online scams in Southeast Asia.
According to her, in the past three years, the government has solved at least 1,841 cases of human trafficking that were led by online scams.
“Indonesian victims were recorded in Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines,” she said.
Source: Antara News
