Belgium urges RI to free dredgers<\/p>\n
The Belgium government summoned the Indonesian ambassador
\nThursday to protest Jakarta's refusal to release three Belgian
\ndredging vessels that have been cleared by an Indonesian court of
\nillegally operating in Indonesian waters.<\/p>\n
Deputy Foreign Minister Annemie Neyts told Ambassador
\nAbdulmanan Suleiman that his government must \"take immediate
\nsteps to execute the judgment of Indonesian courts and release
\nthe Belgian ships in question with immediate effect.\"<\/p>\n
The three, along with 10 dredging vessels from other
\ncountries, were impounded on July 26 last year and charged with
\nstealing sand from Indonesian territory for building projects in
\nMalaysia and Singapore.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 9, courts in Karimum and Bintang dismissed the
\ncharges, but levied minor fines for administrative infractions.
\n\"The Indonesian government did not appeal against the verdicts,\"
\nthe foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that the fines
\nhave already been paid but \"the Indonesian navy ... refuses to
\nrelease the vessels.\" --AP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/belgium-urges-ri-to-free-dredgers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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