TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Andy Rachmianto, director for international security and disarmament at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, stated that Indonesia has never sent an official request to the United States government to repatriate Bali bombings mastermind Hambali.
Hambali was earlier reported to be released from the terrorist detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in connection with President Barrack Obama's plan to close the detention facility.
"What the government via the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC strives for is consular service for Hambali," Andy told Tempo on Thursday, October 27, 2016.
According to Andy, Hambali's trial process has been commenced, and the lawyer has been appointed by the US authorities. Andy said that the trial process was in line with the US government decision to close Guantanamo detention facility and repatriate a number of detainees "excluding Hambali."
Andy explained that even though such a request was to be made, it would be difficult to be approved. As many as 17 detainees, including Hambali, serving the rest of their time at Camp Delta, Guantanmo, are high risk detainees.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said that Hambali’s trial process was a US government affair. However, Arrmanatha said that the Indonesian government would continue to monitor the development.
"The Indonesian government via the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC will continue to fulfill [Hambali's] consular rights," Arrmanatha told Tempo.
The US government reportedly rejected the request to release Hambali. Guantanamo detention facility's Periodic Review Boards still labels Hambali as a serious threat.
Hambali, also known as Encep Nurjaman or Riduan Isamudin, was arrested in Ayutthya, Thailand, back in 2013, when attempting to attack a building in Bangkok where the Asia-Pacific Summit was to be held. Hambali was taken to Camp Delta in 2006. He appealed for a release in August 2016 after President Obama announced a plan to close Camp Delta.
YOHANES PASKALIS
