Police Officers Held in Sudan Not Guilty: Foreign Ministry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said that Indonesian police officers held in Sudan for allegedly smuggling weapons have been proven not guilty.

“What can we say about the case involving Indonesian police officers held in Sudan is that since the joint investigation was launched, no evidence has been found proving that they are guilty,” Arrmanatha said at his office in Jakarta on Thursday, February 2, 2017.

Also read: UN Investigates Arms Smuggling Attempt by Indonesian Peacekeepers

Earlier, the North Darfur administration in Sudan announced that Indonesia’s police officers, who served for one year under UNAMID, were detained on Friday, January 20, 2017, at Al Fasher Airport, Sudan, for allegedly attempting to smuggle a large number of weapons and ammunition.

Reports from the Sudanese Media Center said that the weapons included 29 Kalashnikov, four rifles, six GM3 rifles, 61 various types of pistols, and a large amount of ammunition. 

However, no evidence has been found to this date proving their involvement in the smuggling attempt.

Also read: Kompolnas Dismisses Rumor of Police Involvement in Arms Smuggling

“If there’s no evidence, we will do what we can to bring back the officers from there [Sudan]. We are highly committed to UN peacekeeping missions, and our police officers and military personnel are well-known for their professionalism,” Arrmanatha explained.

The police officers earlier denied that the weapons belonged to the Indonesian police unit. Throughout the probe, the Indonesian Ambassador to Sudan in Khartoum continued to accompany the Indonesian police officers. In addition, the National Police sent a team to provide legal aid and clarify the issue.

ANTARA