Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi Ensures 55 Indonesian Citizens Imprisoned In Cambodia Have Been Rescued

Dozens of Indonesian citizens who were victims of being held captive by an "online scam" company in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, were rescued on Saturday (30/7/2022). (ANTARA/KBRI Phnom Penh)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi confirmed that 55 Indonesian citizens who were held captive by an online scam company in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, had been rescued.

"All 55 Indonesian citizens are in good health," said Retno when delivering a press statement online, Saturday.

Meanwhile, he continued, five other Indonesian citizens who were also victims of captivity were being sought to be evacuated to a safe place.

Retno explained that since receiving reports about Indonesian citizens being held captive in Cambodia, the government immediately made various efforts to rescue them.

Efforts were also made at a high level through Retno's communication with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who immediately responded to the report in coordination with the Cambodian Police.

"Alhamdulillah, the special team of the Cambodian Police has succeeded in rescuing the Indonesian citizens and bringing 55 Indonesian citizens to a safe place, while the other five Indonesian citizens are still in the process," said Retno, quoted by Antara.

After being moved to a safe location, the local police will process an examination report (BAP) for further investigation.

Furthermore, the Indonesian citizens will be handed over to the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh and will be transferred from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh.

"The Indonesian Embassy team is already in Sihanoukville to help with the evacuation," said Retno.

Then according to the procedure, the Indonesian Embassy staff will conduct interviews based on the screening form for the indication of victims of the crime of trafficking in persons (TPPO) before helping to repatriate the dozens of Indonesian citizens to Indonesia.

Retno emphasized that cooperation with the Cambodian government and authorities will continue to prevent similar cases from recurring in the future.