Foreigner charged with smuggling people<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Perth, Australia<\/p>\n
A man alleged to be a leader of a lucrative people-smuggling ring
\nout of Indonesia, appeared before a court here on Monday, charged
\nwith smuggling more than 1,500 asylum-seekers into Australia.<\/p>\n
Keis Abd Al Rahim Asfoor, 31, was apprehended at Perth
\ninternational airport on Oct. 5 and charged with smuggling 1,698
\npeople into Australia aboard 17 boats between June 1999 and March
\n2001.<\/p>\n
Australian authorities say Asfoor, a Palestinian who is a
\nresident of Indonesia, has been under investigation for two years
\nover alleged people-smuggling activities.<\/p>\n
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul Usher,
\nalleged in Perth Magistrate's Court that authorities had \"copious
\namounts of evidence\" of Asfoor's involvement in the people trade.<\/p>\n
They included documents from the United Nations and the
\nAustralian Immigration Department.<\/p>\n
Witnesses had identified him from a photograph, and there
\nwould be a police line-up later this week, Usher said.<\/p>\n
The case comes as Canberra has got tough on the hundreds of
\nasylum-seekers trying to sneak into the country, refusing entry
\nto boatloads of people.<\/p>\n
However, Asfoor's defense counsel said prosecutors have
\naccused the wrong man, and his client was, in fact, a man called
\nIman Dogan.<\/p>\n
Defense solicitor, Michael Tudori, told the court his client
\nwas in Australia \"on vacation\".<\/p>\n
\"The man has been arrested at the airport,\" Tudori said.<\/p>\n
\"All we're seeking is that they (the prosecution) at least
\nestablish to us who they think this man is,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Magistrate Paul Heaney refused bail and remanded Asfoor in
\ncustody until Nov. 23.<\/p>\n
Asfoor is facing 17 counts of facilitating people-smuggling
\ninto Australia and another 17 in relation to taking part in the
\nsmuggling.<\/p>\n
The charges each carry maximum fines of A$220,000 (US$110,000)
\nand A$110,000 (US$55,000) respectively, as well as jail terms of
\n20 years.<\/p>\n
Asfoor also faces a charge of having a false passport.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreigner-charged-with-smuggling-people-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }