Here is the Chronology of Immigration Securing 3 Australian Nationals Entering Merauke, Papua Without Official Documents
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Directorate General (Ditjen) of Immigration has revealed the chronology of three Australian nationals with initials ZA, DTL, and JVD entering Indonesian territory without valid travel documents and visas.
Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement Yuldi Yusman explained that the case began on 17 November 2025 when a Piper PA 23-250 Aztec aircraft with registration number VH-EQD landed in Merauke, Papua.
“The aircraft, piloted by JVD, was known to have departed from Cairns, Queensland, Australia,” said Yuldi Yusman at the Ditjen Immigration Office on Thursday (9/4/2026).
During the investigation process, Ditjen Immigration also coordinated with the Australian government regarding allegations of involvement by the aviation company Stirling Helicopters.
Currently, legal proceedings against the owner of that company are underway in Australia.
ZA and DTL are charged under Article 119 paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration for entering Indonesian territory without valid travel documents.
Meanwhile, pilot JVD faces multiple charges for allegedly providing facilities or assistance in the criminal act.
“They are suspected of entering Indonesia with the motive of escaping legal proceedings in their country,” he explained.
In addition, when secured, officers also found a very small amount of narcotics.
The evidence has been handed over to the police, but it cannot be proceeded to the investigation stage because the quantity is minimal and is deemed to only meet the criteria for rehabilitation if processed criminally.
During the investigation process, the three suspects were detained at Salemba Detention Centre, Central Jakarta.
After the case file was declared complete, the suspects along with the evidence were handed over to the Merauke District Prosecutor’s Office to undergo trial on Wednesday (8/4/2026).
In addition to the three foreign nationals, investigators are still developing the case against an Indonesian national pilot who is suspected of being involved in the case.