If Not Postponed, 13 Fishermen From Merauke Papua Who Are Detained By PNG Army Will Go To The September 26 Session

Documentation of the Coordinator of Protocol Function and Consular of the Indonesian Embassy in Port Moresby, Ullif Taftazani, when providing assistance to fishermen from Merauke (ANTARA/HO-KBRI at Port Moresby

PAPUA - Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Andriana Supandi said the trial of 13 fishermen from Merauke, Papua, who were arrested by PNG soldiers is scheduled for September 26. "Hopefully the trial schedule that will be held at Port Moresby will not be postponed again because it was previously scheduled for September 8," he said from Port Moresby Papua, Antara, Friday, September 16. The Indonesian Embassy in Port Moresby has prepared lawyers to accompany fishermen during the trial. The 13 fishermen are crew members of two fishing motor boats, namely KMN Asyla 77 (seven crew members) and KMN Baraka Faris 21 (six crew members). "The two ships arrived in Port Moresby on August 29 after previously being arrested by PNG soldiers on August 22 in PNG waters," he said. When asked if there had been any reports from the PNG government regarding the shooting case that killed fishermen from Merauke, he said, there was none yet. "Investigations are still being carried out by all authorities related to PNG," said the diplomat. The PNG army, apart from arresting two fishing boats and its 13 crew members, on August 22, also shot a fisherman who was also the captain of KM Calvin 02 until he died on the spot. After shooting at the ship, theiotu ship was left out of PNG waters and arrived in Merauke on August 23. The 13 fishermen from Merauke who are facing trial at the Port Moresby court are ABK KMN Arsila 77, namely Sarif Kasiman (nankode), Riki, Farid, Joko, Canu, Lasani, and Joni. Meanwhile, the crew members of KMN Baraka Paris are Rohman (nahkoda), Beni, Mor, Amin, Nando, and Emi.