Seven illegal Afghan immigrants detained

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 03/26/2009 6:46 PM

The Jambi Immigration Office has detained seven illegal immigrants from Afghanistan on Wednesday, as reported by Antara news on Thursday.

According to Jambi Immigration Office chief Agus Mustari, the seven foreigners were detained as they were about to board a flight to Jakarta but were not equipped with proper travel documents.

"Based on a report, we cooperated with the police and proceeded in putting the seven into the Jambi Immigration detention center," Mustari said.

The seven illegal entrants are Muhammad Jaki, 22, Hadullah, 30, Muslim Sujad, 30, Qosim, 25, Ismatullah, 28, Muhammad Yakib, 29, and Syafwad, 33.

Based on preliminary report, the seven had arrived in Jambi from Jakarta via Batam and were on their way back to Jakarta after visiting Kuala Tungkal.

None of them carried identification papers, save two who were carrying a sheet of paper in Arabic with their photographs attached.

"We have no idea what that document is and we're currently enlisting the help of an Arabic linguist from the Jambi State Islamic University (IAIN) Sultan Taha Saifuddin," Mustari said.

If proven guilty of violating the 1992 Immigration Law, the seven can face up to three years imprisonment or a fine of Rp 15 million.

"We've yet to decide if the seven illegal immigrants would be deported directly or would face legal process in Indonesia beforehand. This needs to be discussed with the Afghan Embassy and the Central Immigration Directorate," Mustari added. (amr)