Yusril Ensures Former Militant Figure Of JI Hambali Who Imprisoned Again Has The Status Of An Indonesian Citizen

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra/ANTARA

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed that former militant figure Jamaah Islamiyah Encer Nurjaman alias Hambali, who was detained in the United States military prison in Cuba, was still an Indonesian citizen.

"Yes, there are a lot of passports used (Hambali), but we know he is Indonesian and he is an Indonesian citizen and we have sufficient data in question, of course, when the Bali Bombing occurred in 2002," said Yusril in response to the issue of Hambali citizenship when met at his office, Jakarta, Friday, January 24 reported by ANTARA.

Yusril admitted that he knew the details of Hambali's figure when he was involved in the 2002 Bali Bombing incident.

According to Yusril, documents about Hambali's personal data are still stored.

"That someone has several passports, it could be. We don't know how his passport is genuine or his passport. Understandably, any terrorists can be done, but we still know that the person concerned is an Indonesian citizen," continued Yusril.

Meanwhile, regarding the concerns of a number of parties regarding the discourse of returning Hambali to Indonesia, Yusril appreciated this.

However, according to Yusril, the government treats every citizen, including Indonesian citizens who are caught in legal cases abroad.

"I think we respect this concern, of course, but we are the government, like it or not, we have to pay fair attention to everyone. We still have to do the same thing, although maybe we have different interests, different views, but we must remain fair," added Yusril.

Coordinating Minister Yusril said the Indonesian government had tried to communicate with the US government regarding the continuation of the Hambali case.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Yusril, once asked the US government to try Hambali based on the laws in force in the country.

However, the access of the Indonesian government is quite limited because the provisions of military criminal law in the US are difficult to reach from a civil and diplomatic approach.

Until now, Hambali is still being held in prison without being tried.

In addition, Yusril emphasized that Indonesia continues to be committed to fighting terrorism. However, the government is also obliged to protect every citizen, including Indonesian citizens who commit crimes abroad.

"I am acting as a government, not personally. As a government, we are obliged to protect or we also help our citizens abroad so that they are treated fairly," he said.

Previously, the Indonesian government discussed repatriating Hambali from my parents. However, the discourse was studied and required further coordination with various ministries/agencies, including talks with the US government.