ID :
24156
Mon, 10/13/2008 - 16:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24156
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A`LIAN COURT STARTS TRYING INDONESIAN MAN FOR PEOPLE SMUGGLING
Canberra, Oct 13 (ANTARA) - An Australian court in Perth, Western Australia, on Monday began hearing the case of Abdul Hamid, a 35-year-old Indonesian man charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with people smuggling.
A spokesman of the Indonesian consulate in Perth, Andi Bestari, told ANTARA here over the telephone a consulate official would be assigned to monitor the court sessions on Abdul Hamid's case.
"I met with Abdul Hamid at Hakea prison in Perth over the weekend," Andi said, adding that the Indonesian man was facing a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment if he was found guilty.
Abdul Hamid was the captain of a vessel with 12 passengers (three Iranians and nine Afghans) that was intercepted by Australia's Border Protection Command on September 29, 2008 near Ashmore Islands.
Among the boat's crew members was a 15-year-old boy, identified as Arief.
Meanwhile, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said, "People smuggling is an abhorrent crime, and the maximum penalty for the offense of organizing to bring a group of five or more non-citizens into Australia is 20 years' imprisonment."
But Senator Evans added that the teenage crew member of the vessel would be repatriated.
"The teenage crew member on the vessel will be transferred to Perth where arrangements will be made for his removal to Indonesia," Chris Evans said.
Senator Evans said the government's commitment to border security was firm and resolute and it would continue to take robust measures to protect Australia's borders.
"People smuggling undermines Australia's borders and the integrity of of its immigration system and the government will continue to deal resolutely with unauthorized boat arrivals," Senator Evans said.
Meanwhile, Australian Department of Immigration officials on Christmas Island had completed initial interviews with the 12 passengers who had been on the intercepted vessel.
They would remain in detention on Christmas Island while immigration officials make a thorough assessment of any claims against Australia's international protection obligations.
A spokesman of the Indonesian consulate in Perth, Andi Bestari, told ANTARA here over the telephone a consulate official would be assigned to monitor the court sessions on Abdul Hamid's case.
"I met with Abdul Hamid at Hakea prison in Perth over the weekend," Andi said, adding that the Indonesian man was facing a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment if he was found guilty.
Abdul Hamid was the captain of a vessel with 12 passengers (three Iranians and nine Afghans) that was intercepted by Australia's Border Protection Command on September 29, 2008 near Ashmore Islands.
Among the boat's crew members was a 15-year-old boy, identified as Arief.
Meanwhile, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans said, "People smuggling is an abhorrent crime, and the maximum penalty for the offense of organizing to bring a group of five or more non-citizens into Australia is 20 years' imprisonment."
But Senator Evans added that the teenage crew member of the vessel would be repatriated.
"The teenage crew member on the vessel will be transferred to Perth where arrangements will be made for his removal to Indonesia," Chris Evans said.
Senator Evans said the government's commitment to border security was firm and resolute and it would continue to take robust measures to protect Australia's borders.
"People smuggling undermines Australia's borders and the integrity of of its immigration system and the government will continue to deal resolutely with unauthorized boat arrivals," Senator Evans said.
Meanwhile, Australian Department of Immigration officials on Christmas Island had completed initial interviews with the 12 passengers who had been on the intercepted vessel.
They would remain in detention on Christmas Island while immigration officials make a thorough assessment of any claims against Australia's international protection obligations.
