Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The government is exploring the possibility of repatriating Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, a former Jamaah Islamiyah militant held at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"Hambali is  an Indonesian citizen. Regardless of his wrongdoing abroad, he deserves our attention," said Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, on Friday (17/1/2025).

Hambali, implicated in the 2002 Bali Bombings, was arrested after years on the run. Despite being detained in Guantanamo at the request of the United States, he has yet to face trial.

Minister Yusril noted that under Indonesian law, crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment expire after 18 years. 

"The terrorism charges against Hambali date back over 23 years and would now be considered legally expired," he explained, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The government plans to consult President Prabowo Subianto and engage with U.S. officials about the matter.

"Guantanamo is in Cuba, raising jurisdictional questions. Hambali has been detained without trial for years, and we must address this diplomatically," Minister Yusril said.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)