Muladi urges fair trial for 12 alleged hijackers

JAKARTA (JP): The government called on the Chinese government yesterday to prosecute Indonesians arrested on suspicion of hijacking a Malaysian-flagged oil tanker, through a fair and impartial trial.

Minister of Justice Muladi was quoted by Antara as saying here yesterday that the 12 Indonesians could not be prosecuted here as there was no extradition treaty between the two countries.

Meanwhile, AP reported from Beijing that China had allowed the Australian captain of the hijacked tanker to meet with Australian envoys, but gave no indication when he and his 20-member crew would be allowed to leave.

Capt. Kenneth Blyth met with Australian diplomats Tuesday and yesterday, more than a week after authorities intercepted the Petro Ranger and escorted it to the southern China port of Haikou and detained the Indonesians.

The vessel, loaded with diesel fuel and kerosene, had been missing since April 17, the day after it set sail from Singapore to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City.

Chinese authorities intercepted the Petro Ranger on April 26 off its southern coast.

Blyth was in good spirits and had "no concerns for his personal safety", an official of the Australian Consulate in the southern city of Guangzhou said.

The Australian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not know why contact had not been allowed earlier.

Petroships, the Singapore-based agent for the vessel, said they had not been allowed to talk to Blyth.

Li Xiuling, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan, said Blyth and his crew were free to go ashore with the permission of local officials, but they were not allowed to leave China until the investigation was complete.

Li said Chinese investigators did not know how the Indonesians, who have not been charged, got aboard the Petro Ranger.

Blyth and his 20-member multinational crew have accused the Indonesians of seizing control of the ship at gunpoint and sailing it to China, according to Li.

The Australian diplomat downplayed an Australian newspaper report that quoted Blyth as saying he was being held prisoner.

The diplomat said Blyth did not voice concern over his safety or complain about the investigation in meetings or telephone conversations with Australian officials.