Alleged Indonesian pirates face trial in Indian court

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)