Ambon deports 17 foreigners

AMBON: Local justice and human rights coordinator Roeroe Sulaiman said here on Thursday that the local immigration office in Ambon had deported 17 foreigners despite their having visas and passports.

Roeroe said the 17 foreigners, 14 of whom were U.S. citizens and three from Algeria and Saudi Arabia, were deported early March following the deportation of three Timorese in February.

"In fact, they did not commit any violation but they did not report their presence to the Civil Emergency Office in Maluku" he added.

Roeroe hoped all related institutions, particularly the Indonesian Military and Police, would work together to supervise foreigners coming and going from the area.--Antara