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Indonesia, China explore potential extradition treaty
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Samadikun Hartono (center) arrives at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta last week from China, ending his 13 years on the run. (kompas.com/Ambaranie Nadia Kemala Movanita)
Indonesia and China have agreed to set up an extradition treaty, pushed by the need to address the issue of corruption fugitives.
The two countries agreed to intensify cooperation in law enforcement and exchange intelligence on fugitive Indonesians convicted of corruption and suspected to be located in China, Hong Kong and Macau, said Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Tuesday.
After leading the Indonesian delegation in a dialogue on politics, law and security with China, Luhut said Indonesia wanted both countries to ratify an extradition treaty as soon as possible.
"To date, we have deported many Chinese nationals who have committed crimes or brought trouble to Indonesia," said Luhut as quoted by Antara news agency in Beijing on Tuesday evening, local time.
"And we hope that the same thing will be done for us. We can strengthen cooperation in this area if there is a ratified extradition [treaty]," he added.
The process of deportation between the two countries is conducted within the framework of a mutual legal assistance (MLA) pact, Luhut explained.
Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Soegeng Rahardjo said he suspected that there were still several Indonesian fugitives residing in China.
"We continue to cooperate and coordinate with local authorities in the deportation process," he said.
The Chinese delegation leader, Senator Yang Jiechi, agreed on the need to ratify an extradition treaty with Indonesia.
China supports the effort to restore the Bank Century assets that have been frozen by the Hong Kong Court, he said.
In 2014, the Indonesian government found a way to obtain and partly confiscate the assets related to the PT Bank Century case located under the jurisdiction of Hong Kong.
The value snatched amounted to US$4 million.
The pathway to acquiring the assets was opened up after the Hong Kong High Court partially granted a request made by the law and human rights minister on behalf of the Indonesian government.
The value of the assets fluctuates because the majority of the assets come in the form of stocks.
The MLA request made by the Indonesian government was processed and submitted by the law and human rights minister and was based on a Central Jakarta District Court ruling.
The process at the Hong Kong High Court has not been finalized. (liz/bbn)
