Seventy-two Iranian and Afghan asylum seekers were arrested by Indonesian police while trying to cross from Loji to Australia’s Christmas Island.
Zamaneh reports that the asylum seekers were picked up two days ago on the Loji shore west of Java and are currently under investigation.
The group was arrested when local people spotted Middle Easterners on the shores and informed police.
Local government officials told the Jakarta newspaper that the immigrants were on their way to Christmas Island.
Indonesian police say they are looking for more people linked to this group who may be hiding in the area.
Australia’s ABC network reports that asylum seekers in Indonesia face dire conditions, and late last month one Afghan asylum seeker who had escaped custody was arrested again and died under torture.
The local police announced that the detainees were being held at the Sukabumi resort police station and will be handed over to the immigration office.
[archival photo]
