Three Victims of Human Trafficking in Libya Suffer Economic Exploitation, 41 Still Detained
Jakarta Metropolitan Police have uncovered a case of human trafficking involving Indonesian migrant workers in Libya. Three victims, identified by their initials as NAR, 21, SS, 45, and NKR, 39, were reported to have suffered economic exploitation after being placed in a country not officially listed for migrant worker placement by the Ministry of Manpower.
Director of the Women and Children and Human Trafficking Crime Directorate at Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Dr. Rita Wulandari Wibowo, confirmed that Libya is not a legal destination for Indonesian migrant workers. “These three victims are women and adults. There is a ministerial decree regarding countries for migrant worker placement, and Libya is not included,” Rita stated in Jakarta on Tuesday (4/8/2026).
Upon their return to Indonesia, the three victims immediately underwent intensive medical examinations by the police medical and health division. Rita revealed that the victims suffered health problems due to irregular working patterns while in Libya. “Some experienced illness because of irregular working hours, the food they received, and lack of rest. This resulted in medical issues affecting the stomach and solar plexus,” she explained. In addition to medical treatment, the police are also providing psychological support and assessments to ensure the victims’ mental stability before their reintegration into their home regions with the assistance of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP3MI).
In this case, the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of Jakarta Metropolitan Police has named two main suspects, identified as R alias Ica and DY. They are believed to have played a role in dispatching migrant workers through non-procedural means. Based on investigative data, the network has sent at least 105 prospective migrant workers abroad between 2023 and 2026.
Deputy Director of General Criminal Investigation at Jakarta Metropolitan Police, AKBP I Dewa Putu Gede Anom Danujaya, disclosed that 41 migrant workers from the second contract period are still in Libya. The police are coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers to monitor their whereabouts. “There are still around 41 people from the second contract period who have not returned and will be coordinated by all parties. They are spread out according to their work contracts as domestic workers,” Anom stated.
Regarding allegations of sexual violence, the police stated that no evidence or reports have been found from the witnesses examined so far. However, psychological examinations and further investigation of witness statements are ongoing, alongside the repatriation process for other migrant workers being carried out through a Government-to-Government scheme between Indonesia and Libya.