Alleged Indonesian pirates face trial in Indian court

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Communications Lt. Gen Agum Gumelar said the government would agree to the trial of 15 Indonesians arrested for alleged ship piracy in India, to be tried there under international law.

"We will accept (the trial) of those Indonesians caught by the Indian navy for piracy, however the government will ask for an official explanation from the Indian government," Agum said on Monday.

Fifteen Indonesian crew members were arrested last week for allegedly commandeering a merchant ship, the M.V. Alondra Rainbow, on its way to Japan.

The Japanese-owned ship was carrying aluminum ingots and went missing after it left Indonesia on Oct. 22. Its 15 Filipino and two Japanese crew members were abandoned in Thailand after the 15 Indonesians allegedly took control of the ship.

They were captured near Goa, just off India's southern coast.

Based on international conventions India has the right to try them.

Agum said that he was disappointed at the alleged actions of the 15 Indonesians.

"If the news is true then we should be concerned. Just when the nation is facing a test of its credibility this happens," he lamented, adding that Jakarta would abide by international conventions in the handling of the case.(mds)