Indonesia Considers Criminal Charges in Raja Ampat Turtle Hunting Case
Indonesia may pursue criminal charges against a foreign national over suspected turtle hunting in Raja Ampat waters, authorities say.
Indonesia's immigration authorities are considering criminal charges against a foreign national, identified as WS, for suspected turtle hunting in Raja Ampat waters. Director General Hendarsam Marantoko stated that authorities are coordinating with police to establish the appropriate legal framework for the case. WS was detained at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar on September 14, 2026, while preparing to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He was placed on the subject-of-interest list and detained in Sorong, Southwest Papua, for further questioning over the incident. The case came to light after a video surfaced on social media showing a diver spearfishing a turtle in Raja Ampat waters. The police are investigating suspected criminal offenses involving the hunting and killing of protected wildlife in the area.
WS, a member of AIDA International, was detained by Makassar immigration authorities after the Raja Ampat district government requested his prevention from leaving Indonesia.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
