Thai fishermen seek Deplu clearance

AMBON, Maluku: Twenty-six Thai fishermen charged with murder are being held at the Ambon Naval Base in Maluku, pending deportation clearance from the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs (Deplu).

First. Adm. Lili Suparmono said on Thursday that he expected deportation clearance from the ministry in the near future.

The fishermen, who were onboard a Thai ship, were arrested for allegedly killing seven people, including the captain of the ship, last September. All were Thai nationals.

The seven were killed when a fight broke out on the ship, with the 26 fishermen pitted against them, said Lili. -- JP