Inp.polri.go.id - Mataram. The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Police has uncovered a suspected case of human trafficking crimes (TPPO) to Iraq. Following the investigation, ER (38), a recruiter from North Lombok Regency, has been identified as the main suspect.
"The suspect ER has arrested, and the investigation files are currently being finalized," said Police Senior Superintendent Teddy Ristiawan, the Director of General Crimes Investigation of the NTB Regional Police on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
The investigators from the Women and Children Protection Unit have applied charges against suspect ER under Article 10, Article 11 in conjunction with Article 4 of the Indonesian Law Number 21 of 2007 on the Eradication of Human Trafficking Crimes (TPPO), and/or Article 81 in conjunction with Article 69 of the Indonesian Law Number 18 of 2017 on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PPMI).
"Based on the charges, the suspect could potentially face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of up to Rp600 million," he said.
He also mentioned the involvement of another suspect, identified as SR, who acted as a financier. "ER facilitated the recruitment process with funding from SR, who was located in Sumbawa. However, the latest information we received indicates that suspect SR passed away in 2022," he stated.
The investigation of the case began with a report from the victim, identified as MR (31) from North Lombok Regency, which was made on April 10, 2023.
"Since April, we immediately initiated an investigation, which led to the identification of the suspect's role, culminating in their arrest and subsequent detention," he said.
Based on the victim's report, it was revealed that ER employed recruitment methods that deviated from the proper procedures. Instead of going through a registered company as a legal Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Company (P3MI), ER conducted individual recruitment.
ER promised the victim, MR, a job in Saudi Arabia with a monthly salary of Rp7 million. To make the offer more enticing, ER provided Rp3 million as travel expenses (departure funds) and settled a debt of Rp1.5 million. Tempted by the offer, MR agreed.
"This is one of the recruitment methods used for migrant workers, offering them employment in popular destinations with lucrative salaries, along with additional funds for their departure," he explained.
Upon arriving in Iraq, the victim came under the control of an Indonesian national identified as AM and was assigned domestic work as a household assistant. However, throughout 10 months of work, the victim never received any wages.
In July 2022, the victim managed to escape. The incident came to light when the employer discovered the escape and returned the victim to the agency controlled by AM.
"While seeking refuge at the agency's shelter in Iraq, the victim discreetly reached out to the Indonesian Embassy in Baghdad," he said.
The Indonesian Embassy promptly responded by intervening and retrieving the victim from the agency's shelter. The victim's presence at the shelter also drew the attention of the Iraqi authorities, who initiated legal proceedings against AM for involvement in human trafficking.
"During AM's trial in Iraq, the victim provided crucial testimony. After the trial concluded, the victim was repatriated to Indonesia on February 3, 2023, and subsequently filed a police report on April 10, 2023," he concluded.
(ndt/hn/pr/um)
