Nine Vietnamese fishermen deported

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Nine of 11 Vietnamese fishermen detained for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters have been deported, Adj. Sr. Comr. Fatmawati of the Lampung Police said on Saturday.

She said the fishermen were flown to Jakarta on Friday, from where they were deported.

However, the captain of the seized fishing boat Trung Thanh TS 1565 TS, Bui Thanh Pong, and technician Nguyen Than Phoung are still being detained for further questioning.

The Vietnamese were arrested early last month while fishing nine miles off the coast of Tulang Bawang in Lampung.

Fatmawati said the fishermen attempted to bribe police with US$450 to gain their release, but the money was refused. --Antara