TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Jakarta Immigration apprehended three foreign nationals from Yemen who were suspected of being involved in human trafficking on Thursday evening, February 22, 2024.

“The three of them were arrested at the Kalibata apartment in Pancoran, South Jakarta, last night, on February 22. We will continue to develop this case because the crime was committed by foreigners,” Jakarta Immigration Office chief, Sandi Andaryadi said in Jakarta, on Friday, February 23, 2024.

With the help of Indonesian citizens, the three foreigners were accused of sending Indonesian citizens, especially women, to the Middle East, without going through legal procedures. “[The victims] were sent to the Middle East, such as Bahrain, Jordan, and others to work as domestic workers,” Sandi said.

Felucia Sengky Ratna, head of the South Jakarta Immigration Office, said that the three foreigners had been identified as MAAB, OA, and FH. The investigation began when MAAB applied for an extension of his stay period as an investor, as the validity period had expired.

“But upon checking the office of MAAB’s company located around Senayan, we were informed that it was a virtual office that had not been operating since 2021,” she added.

Following the irregularities, the officers immediately went to MAAB's residence and initiated the arrest. The immigration officers found the other two perpetrators and pieces of evidence, including cellphones, videos of human smuggling, and others.

“The three of them are charged with Article 120 paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration which carries a penalty of 15 years in prison,” Felucia said.

ANTARA

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