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