Foreign Fugitives Drown

VIVAnews – 18 foreigners from Afghanistan and Burma escaped from an immigration detention center in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) yesterday at 2.30am Indonesian Central time. But they were stopped short by the unfavorable weather condition. The ship that they boarded to escape via sea sank in the Rote Strait, not far off the coast of Kupang.

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Early morning at the Kupang immigration detention center, at 2.30am local time, Wednesday, 14 January, it was raining heavily and there was a temporary blackout. Three detention officers on duty were watching the television. 18 detainees caught them off guard and overpowered them. They assaulted them and held them hostage. “It all happened so fast. In less than five minutes, the 18 foreigners have escaped,” said Rochmadi, an officer from NTT Regional Office of Justice and Human Rights.

According to Rochmadi, one detainee from Burma, Abdul Mutalib, tried to help the officers but to no avail. He too, was beaten. “He suffered from a broken wrist after being beaten up by the escaped detainees,” said Rochmadi.

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After holding the detention officers hostage, they cut the phone lines. They managed to escape because the main gate that separates the detention facility and the security room was not locked. “This is the officers’ negligence,” said Rochmadi.

According to an eyewitness account, said Rochmadi, the escaped detainees used a car that is suspected to have been prepared by members of an illegal immigrants mafia network based in Kupang.

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Coordination with the police department was immediately done to block all possible exit routes from NTT, including airports, seaports, piers, and the land border between Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Thirteen of the fugitives were from Afghanistan and five were from Burma.
The search soon ended. In less than 48 hours after their escape, Thursday mid-morning, 15 January, four of them were found dead after the motor boat they used to escape capsized in the Rote Strait, not far off the coast of Kupang.

“Based on the survivors’ accounts, while at sea, the weather was extremely bad with heavy rain and strong winds. Most likely the boat sank because of excess load. Especially given the large sea waves of over three meters,” said NTT Police spokesperson, Police Commissioner Okto G. Riwu.

Three of them have been identified as Muhamad Yunus Ali, Igbal Nunose Ali and Jawed Rajhmad – all Afghans. One body has not been identified.

According to Riwu, the boat probably sank after being hit by a storm. The police are still investigating the incident. “There is a strong suspicion that they were using the boat to escape to Australia,” he said. He added that nine of them survived and five others are still missing.

The survivors include all five Burmese fugitives and four Afghans. The four Afghans are Rachman Najebula, Nazer Rajabi, Naseesebulah and Hasyim. The five Burmese are Zubir Qualima, Zubir Dobinhoma, Mona Azam, Ahmad Hasyima and Nur Alam.

Yesterday, the names of the 18 fugitives were released. As of now, the fate of Muhamad Safari, Najehilah Ali, Jakeryah Monei Issa, Qulam Rajabi, Mongen Ahmad Igbal and Igbal Qoldad – all from Afghanistan – is still unknown.

“Search and rescue efforts are still being done by the SAR team, with the help of the coast guard,” said Riwu.

Meanwhile, the four bodies are currently at WZ Yohannes Kupang Hospital. Since all the Burmese fugitives survived, it is assumed that the fourth unidentified body belongs to one of the Afghan fugitives. The Immigration is still coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Afghan Embassy in Jakarta to decide whether or not they will be buried in Kupang, or sent back to Afghanistan.

NTT Police Investigation team is still investigating the matter, including trying to uncover the mafia network in Kupang. They are still looking into who was responsible for organizing the escape, providing the car used to escape from the Immigration detention center, and providing the motor boat.

The nine survivors will be charged under multiple counts for violating the Immigration Law, for ripping the Indonesian flag, and for assaulting and holding hostage three government officials.

Since 2008, there have been 33 foreigners, including the 18 escapees, caught and held at the Kupang Immigration detention center for attempting to illegally go to Australia using chartered motor boats. Out of the 33 foreigners, 14 of them are from Afghanistan, 17 from Burma, and two from Syria. There is strong indication that those from Afghanistan are members of pro-Taliban militia.


Coverage by: Jemris Fointuna l Kupang

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