Reynhard Sinaga's Sexual Predator Prisoners Are Not Included In The Priority Of Repatriation From Overseas

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has confirmed that the convict of a sexual violence case in the UK, Reynhard Sinaga, is not included in the priority of repatriating prisoners from abroad who are now being pursued through a diplomatic process between countries.

This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra after attending a meeting of judges with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Thursday, February 20.

"Reynhard Sinaga is not a priority for us, because the issue he is very sensitive," he said.

Reynhard Sinaga, an Indonesian student, with a student visa was found guilty of 159 counts of rape against 48 men in January 2020, with the mode of anesthetizing the victim before committing sexual violence.

Initially, Reynhard was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 30 years before being able to apply for parole. However, after an appeal from the British prosecutor, the sentence was increased to a minimum of 40 years.

During the trial, it was revealed that the number of victims of Reynhard was estimated at 206 men, with around 60 victims not yet identified. The majority of victims were students aged 18 to 36 years.

Yusril emphasized that the government is more focused on legal diplomacy efforts to save Indonesian Workers (TKI) which are threatened with the death penalty, especially in Saudi Arabia.

Yusril said that the government is currently preparing strategic steps to repatriate Indonesian citizens (WNI) who are prisoners abroad, especially those who face the death penalty.

One of the important agendas is a meeting with the Malaysian Interior Minister in Jakarta on February 24-25, 2025 to discuss the repatriation of more than 50 Indonesian citizens in Malaysia.

Apart from Malaysia, said Yusril, the Indonesian government has also opened talks with France and Saudi Arabia regarding legal cooperation and repatriation of prisoners.

"The French government even positively welcomes Indonesia's move to repatriate one of its citizens, and hopes that this cooperation can be strengthened during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Indonesia in May," Yusril added.

'Actually, I've done something like this in 2001-2002. At that time, several inmates were transferred from Malaysia to Riau Province," said Yusril.

Although this repatriation has only repatriated several foreign prisoners, such as one person from the Philippines, five people from Bali Nine, and one person from France, Yusril is optimistic that this legal diplomacy approach will open up wider opportunities to save the lives of migrant workers who are threatened with the death penalty abroad.

Through this effort, the government hopes to provide maximum protection for Indonesian citizens abroad and at the same time strengthen diplomatic relations and legal cooperation with various countries.