Riau Detains Three Somalis For Alleged Illegal Entry Into Indonesia

Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) - The Riau immigration office has detained three Somalis for allegedly entering Indonesia from neighboring Malaysia.

"We are still conducting a thorough investigation," Sutrisno, head of the immigration office, stated here on Thursday.

The Somalis, arrested by the Meranti Islands immigration office on Wednesday, comprised a man, a woman, and a 20-month-old infant. They claimed to be a family.

They were identified as 24-year-old Abdi Salan Elmi Ismail, 23-year-old Siham, and an infant Aima Sarmake Omar.

The immigration officers arrested them aboard a ship headed to Pekanbaru in Riau. A preliminary check revealed that only Abdi held a passport.

Riau has become a target for illegal migrants, who use the province as a destination or transit area.

In mid-March, the Riau justice office had deported nine Bangladeshis arrested in the Rupat waters of Bengkalis District.

Earlier, the authority had detained 14 Bangladeshis, who were allegedly entering Indonesia from the Kualanamu Airport in North Sumatra.

"They have been deported to their country of origin recently," he added.