Muladi urges fair trial for 12 alleged hijackers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government called on the Chinese government
\nyesterday to prosecute Indonesians arrested on suspicion of
\nhijacking a Malaysian-flagged oil tanker, through a fair and
\nimpartial trial.<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice Muladi was quoted by Antara as saying here
\nyesterday that the 12 Indonesians could not be prosecuted here as
\nthere was no extradition treaty between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, AP reported from Beijing that China had allowed the
\nAustralian captain of the hijacked tanker to meet with Australian
\nenvoys, but gave no indication when he and his 20-member crew
\nwould be allowed to leave.<\/p>\n
Capt. Kenneth Blyth met with Australian diplomats Tuesday and
\nyesterday, more than a week after authorities intercepted the
\nPetro Ranger and escorted it to the southern China port of Haikou
\nand detained the Indonesians.<\/p>\n
The vessel, loaded with diesel fuel and kerosene, had been
\nmissing since April 17, the day after it set sail from Singapore
\nto Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City.<\/p>\n
Chinese authorities intercepted the Petro Ranger on April 26
\noff its southern coast.<\/p>\n
Blyth was in good spirits and had "no concerns for his
\npersonal safety", an official of the Australian Consulate in the
\nsouthern city of Guangzhou said.<\/p>\n
The Australian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
\ndid not know why contact had not been allowed earlier.<\/p>\n
Petroships, the Singapore-based agent for the vessel, said
\nthey had not been allowed to talk to Blyth.<\/p>\n
Li Xiuling, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan,
\nsaid Blyth and his crew were free to go ashore with the
\npermission of local officials, but they were not allowed to leave
\nChina until the investigation was complete.<\/p>\n
Li said Chinese investigators did not know how the
\nIndonesians, who have not been charged, got aboard the Petro
\nRanger.<\/p>\n
Blyth and his 20-member multinational crew have accused the
\nIndonesians of seizing control of the ship at gunpoint and
\nsailing it to China, according to Li.<\/p>\n
The Australian diplomat downplayed an Australian newspaper
\nreport that quoted Blyth as saying he was being held prisoner.<\/p>\n
The diplomat said Blyth did not voice concern over his safety
\nor complain about the investigation in meetings or telephone
\nconversations with Australian officials.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/muladi-urges-fair-trial-for-12-alleged-hijackers-1447893297",
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