Expelled diplomat faces probe at home

JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian diplomat who was expelled by the Tanzanian government for alleged illegal possession of game trophies this week will face an investigation from the authorities on his return, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

The ministry regretted the violation of the law committed by the diplomat that led to him being made persona non grata by the host country.

The statement said the diplomat, who was not identified, was not a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but had been seconded to the Dar Es Salaam embassy by a "technical department".

The ministry will hand him over to the proper authorities on his return, scheduled for today, to face an investigation and punishment if found guilty. The ministry will also impose sanctions in accordance with its jurisdiction, the statement said.

Media reports from Dar Es Salaam identified the diplomat as Sungong Sugiyono, an administrative attach at the embassy.

The Tanzanian foreign ministry said customs officers inspected the Indonesian embassy premises on April 9 and found 19 leopard skins, 12 elephant tusks, one crocodile skin, one python skin, three ivory walking sticks and six ivory carvings.

The diplomat was given 48 hours to leave the country.

This is the third time illegal wildlife trophies have been confiscated from Indonesian diplomats since 1989, according to reports from Dar Es Salaam.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned all its diplomats and non-diplomatic staff at embassies abroad yesterday to abide by international laws regulating diplomatic relations and obey the national laws in the countries where they are accredited. (emb)