Yusril Opens Opportunity To Return Hambali From Prison

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has discussed the repatriation of former militant figure Jamaah Islamiyah, Encep Nurjaman alias Hambali from the United States military prison in Cuba.

According to the Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Hambali is also an Indonesian citizen.

"No matter how wrong our citizens are abroad, we still have to pay attention," said Yusril quoting Antara.

Yusril explained that Hambali was a terrorist who was strongly suspected of being involved in the 2002 Bali Bombing case. Hambali had fled and his whereabouts were unknown until he was arrested.

Hambali was then detained in prison at the request of the United States. However, Hambali's case has not yet received legal certainty because it has not been tried by local law enforcers.

According to Yusril, Hambali's case has expired if it is tried under Indonesian law. The reason is, the terrorism case involving Hambali occurred about 23 years ago.

"Based on Indonesian law, in fact, if the crime is punishable by the death penalty or life sentence, it has expired. If it is more than 18 years, the case cannot be prosecuted anymore," he said.

Yusril said that his party would discuss further with President Prabowo Subianto about this. The Indonesian government will also discuss the discourse on Hambali's repatriation with the United States Government.

"Right now, we still don't know whose authority, the United States or Cuba? Because the area (Guantamo) is in Cuba; and to this day he has been detained for a long time at my office, without being tried," said Yusril.

Furthermore, he said, the discourse on Hambali's repatriation was a form of government attention to Indonesian citizens who were facing legal cases abroad. "So that people know that we not only take care of foreign prisoners in Indonesia, but we also take care of Indonesian citizens who are abroad," he said.

In addition to Hambali who was detained in my house, Yusril also highlighted Indonesian citizens who were sentenced to death in other countries, such as Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

In Malaysia, there are around 54 Indonesians who have been sentenced to death who have not been executed. In Saudi Arabia there are several. Hopefully, after we are good with others, the Malaysian Government and the Government of Saudi Arabia, we can also negotiate to resolve cases of our citizens abroad," he said.

It is known that Indonesia in December 2024 had transferred the death row convict Mary Jane to the Philippines and five Bali Nine convicts to Australia. In addition, Indonesia is discussing the transfer of the death row convict in the French narcotics case, Serge Areski Atlaoui.