Illegal immigrants stranded in Lombok

Illegal immigrants stranded in Lombok

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): The 251 illegal Middle
Eastern immigrants stranded on Bima island last month have been
moved here where their legal status will be determined.

The immigrants, 248 Iraqis and three Afghans, moved here on
Sunday have been accommodated at Wisma Nusantara in Ampenan area
under tight security. Fifty six of the refugees are children.

Spokesman for the West Nusa Tenggara Police command, Adj.
Comr. Tribudi Pangastuti told The Jakarta Post that the
immigrants intended destination was Australia and so the police
would coordinate with Australian police authorities and officials
of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees on the future
of the illegal immigrants.

"They will determine if the aliens can be categorized as
refugees. After then the aliens will be sent to Jakarta for
further process," Tribudi said.

If they do not qualify for refugee status, Jakarta will send
the foreigners back to their countries of origin and if they do
qualify, Jakarta will seek a third country to accommodate them,
he said.

The illegal immigrants were impounded by Bima Police on July
25 after the boat that carried them through the Indonesian waters
broke down in Mawu Bay, Bima.

The boat was hired from Sulawesi. (43)