Illegal Landing

Five Australians Receive Acquittal Verdict

VIVAnews - The five Australians who were arrested for illegal landing in Papua have met their luck. Not only they became under city arrest, William Scott-Bloxam (62), his wife, Vera (54), and his three friends, Karen Burke (51), Hubert Hofer (57) and Keith Mortimer (60) also receive acquittal verdict.

"The Jayapura High Court approves our clients' appeal and orders them to leave Indonesia," said the advocate of the five Australians, Mohammad Rifan, as quoted in The Age web's page on Friday, March 6.

In the court's consideration, the high court judge contradicted the attorney's argument. The air traffic controller and immigration officials are the one who are considered reckless because they have allowed the plane to land and permitted them for entering Papua's area. According to Indonesia's law, the plane should not be given permission to land and ordered to leave Indonesia's air territory.

The acquittal verdict was definitely welcomed with joy by the five Australians. RIfan said that his clients were expecting to go back to Australia immediately and meet their families. They also wanted to fly back using their plane to Horan Island, on Torres Strain, which was their departure location before heading to Papua. "Probably [they can go] around next week, after finishing all of the administrative business," Rifan said.

The Merauke State Court had previously sentenced three years in prison and fine of Rp 50 million (US$4,154) to the Queensland-based pilot William. While four of his passengers were sentenced two years in prison and a fine.

The five Australians landed in Merauke using a V-68 plane on Friday, Sept. 12 2008. There was no visa available for the airplane. The Indonesian Police headquarters also revealed that Wiliam Henry Scott Bloxom and Vera Scott Bloxom which piloted the plane did not acquire the necessary documents such as security clearance and flight approval.

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Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman

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VIVA.co.id
19 Maret 2024