Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah Coordinates with Saudi Authorities on Illegal Hajj Case

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Jeddah has affirmed its commitment and active role in handling the case of alleged involvement of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in illegal Hajj practices in Mecca. “KJRI in Jeddah will immediately coordinate with Saudi Arabian security authorities to oversee the legal process for the three individuals suspected to be WNI,” according to KJRI in Jeddah in a press statement received in Jakarta on Thursday. KJRI explained that on Tuesday (28/4), three individuals suspected to be WNI were arrested in the city of Mecca. From the raid on their residence, initial evidence was found pointing to illegal Hajj practices. Two of them were even arrested while using Indonesian Hajj official attire. The identities of the three are still in the verification process. “Verification of the identities of the three individuals is currently underway,” according to the KJRI statement. In several posts on official social media accounts of Saudi security authorities, various law enforcement efforts and arrests of parties attempting to bring people without tasreh into the city of Mecca are visible. Based on monitoring by KJRI in Jeddah, a series of buses carrying out violators of the tasreh rules from the city of Mecca can be seen. As a preventive measure, KJRI in Jeddah once again urges all WNI to comply with the la haj bila tasreh provisions, namely the prohibition on performing Hajj without official permission. “For this reason, KJRI in Jeddah once again urges WNI to jointly comply with the la haj bila tasreh provisions. Do not let the intention for a blessed Hajj turn into fleeing,” stated KJRI.