Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian National Police have uncovered the operational structure of an international human trafficking network involving Russian and Ukrainian nationals who allegedly worked together in Indonesia to recruit locals as mercenaries.
The West Jakarta Metro Police Chief Senior Commissioner Nasriadi on Wednesday said the cross-national dimension of the case has raised particular interest among investigators, given the ongoing armed conflict between the two countries.
“There are two foreign perpetrators, a Russian citizen and a Ukrainian citizen. While they are at war in their own countries, in Indonesia, they collaborated to recruit Indonesian citizens to become mercenaries,” Nasriadi said in a press conference.
Of the six suspects named by the investigators, two are foreign nationals from the two conflicting countries, while the other four are Indonesian citizens.
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Nasriadi explained the two foreign nationals allegedly took advantage of economic opportunities and local networks in Indonesia to recruit Indonesian citizens and send them to conflict zones in Russia.
So far, the police have recorded 23 Indonesian citizens sent by the syndicate to conflict zones.
“Of those in this network, 23 have left to join the Russian army. Based on family reports, one person has been confirmed dead and several others have suffered serious injuries from landmines,” Nasriadi explained.
He said the syndicate operates across Indonesia, covering Jakarta, Medan, Pemalang, Banyumas, and Bali.
“The perpetrators approach potential victims with various offers before arranging their departure overseas,” he continued.
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The joint team successfully thwarted the operation by apprehending the two foreign nationals and stopping eight Indonesian citizens from leaving the country following their identification at the airport and information provided by their families.
To fully uncover the collaboration between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign nationals, the police are currently tightening cross-agency coordination.
“We are backed up by the Director of Human Trafficking from Polda Metro Jaya, the International Relation Division, from Densus 88, and from the ministry as well. We will continue to develop and do not rule out the possibility of other new suspects,” Nasriadi remarked.
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Translator: Ilham Kausar, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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