BIN Investigating Information Regarding 8 Indonesian Citizens Serving as Russian Mercenaries
The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) has spoken out regarding reports that eight Indonesian citizens (WNI) have allegedly become Russian mercenaries.
BIN Head Muhammad Herindra stated that the agency is still investigating the information. “We will look into it further,” Herindra said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (2/9).
Herindra added that BIN is paying close attention to the information originating from Ukraine. The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine previously released a report on 27 August, which included allegations that eight Indonesians are suspected of acting as Russian mercenaries.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated that the government is currently monitoring the information and coordinating with local representatives. “The Indonesian government is conducting verification of this information through Indonesian representatives and is coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies,” Yvonne said in an official release on Monday (31/8).
Yvonne emphasised that Indonesia has clear legal provisions regarding the involvement of Indonesian citizens in the military service of foreign nations, including consequences for their citizenship status. However, enforcement can only take place once the information and data have been verified according to legal procedures.
“If the involvement of Indonesian citizens in the armed forces of a foreign country is verified, it is an individual action and does not represent the policy or position of the Indonesian Government,” she added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad stated that the eight Indonesian citizens serving as Russian mercenaries were recruited by a third-party country.
He mentioned that these citizens were offered jobs by a third-party nation, ranging from security guards to administrative staff. “We have received information from our intelligence authorities that the recruitment of these soldiers was carried out by a third-party country, which made it appear as though there were vacancies for security guards or administrative staff, lured by the promise of high salaries,” Dasco said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (1/9).
He noted that the Indonesian citizens subsequently applied and were sent to Russia to serve as soldiers. “These Indonesian citizens applied, and from there, they were ultimately sent to become soldiers. That is the information we have received,” he said.
He added that intelligence authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have already taken anticipatory measures and are coordinating regarding the matter.