Government Returns Acehnese Fishermen After Being Released By Thai Authorities

The Aceh Government through the Aceh Social Service and the Aceh Government Liaison Agency (BPPA) facilitated the repatriation of an inmate from Aceh M Saidan (41) after serving his sentence and being declared free of authority in Thailand.

"M Saidan was sent back to Aceh after serving his sentence from the Thai authorities," said Head of BPPA Akkar Arafat, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 28.

M Saidan (41) is a resident of Patua Ali, Darul Aman District, East Aceh Regency. So far, he has been serving a prison sentence since June 17, 2022 on charges of theft of fish in the Andaman Sea.

Akkar said Saidan arrived in Jakarta on August 25, 2023, known after BPPA received a letter from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu).

The letter from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the repatriation of one former Indonesian citizen, namely Captain of the Nakri 01 Fishing Boat from Thailand under the name Muhammad Saidan Aceh.

"He has served a prison sentence on charges of / illegal entry, criminal theft of fish, and illegal working at the Andaman sea," he said.

BPPA, which is indeed domiciled in Jakarta, continued Akkar, received a direct order from the Acting Governor of Aceh Achmad Marzuki to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Aceh Social Service to repatriate the Acehnese.

"So while coordinating he (Saidan) we also temporarily closed him at the BPPA Shelter House, and yesterday (27/8), he was flown to Aceh using Batik Air airline," he said.

As for while serving his sentence, said Akkar, the person concerned was detained at the Phuket provincial prison. He is not alone, but also with 10 other crew members who participated in the detention.

"But on the way, on September 12, 2022, ten crew members were released by the Thai government and immediately deported, except for the Captain of the Saidan Ship which was released in July 2023," said Akkar Arafat.