Australian held for violating visa

Australian held for violating visa

JAKARTA (JP): Police intelligence officers are questioning an
Australian national over his participation in a number of street
protests here, city police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said
on Tuesday.

By participating in the rallies on labor and political issues,
the suspect, identified as Christopher, violated existing
immigration regulations, he said.

"Christopher came here on a tourist visa, but he was here to
take part in street protests. He'll be charged under Article 50
of Law No. 9/1992 on immigration regulations," Zainuri said.

If found guilty of violating the article, the suspect could be
deported and banned from the country for a year.

The latest rally Christopher took part in was last Tuesday's
labor protest at the House of Representatives in Central Jakarta,
the officer said.

The protest was organized by the Federation of All-Indonesian
Workers Union of Reform.

"This is his second trip to Indonesia. His first was on April
6 this year," Zainuri said.

The suspect also was seen playing an active role in a number
of other protests, including one organized by the Democratic
People's Party (PRD) outside Cipinang Penitentiary in East
Jakarta, an International Labor Organization protest at the
United Nations building on Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta and a
protest in front of the Presidential Palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka
in Central Jakarta.

"His passport also states that his status is that of a student
and that he belongs to a non-governmental organization in
Australia called ASIET.

"He is currently under the supervision of the police's
Foreigner Control unit. He will soon be transferred to the
immigration office in Kalideres, West Jakarta, to be held in
quarantine," Zainuri said.

The officer also said that any Indonesians who gave shelter to
the suspect should immediately report to the police. (ylt)