Australia turns back RI boat

Australia turns back RI boat

AUSTRALIA: Canberra said on Friday its navy had turned back an
Indonesian fishing boat carrying 17 suspected illegal immigrants,
the third such incident since Australia hardened its policy in
August.

Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison said the vessel was
detected on Tuesday by a Customs Coastwatch plane about 45 miles
from Australia's remote Indian Ocean territory of Ashmore
Islands.

Two naval ships intercepted the vessel and officers went on
board to prevent it from reaching Ashmore.

Until August, Australia accepted boatpeople while it processed
their refugee claims, housing the mostly Muslim migrants in
remote outback detention centers while their applications were
considered -- a process which could take years. --Reuters