18/2/10
The notorious Indonesian people-smuggler behind the failed attempt to bring 254 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers into Australia last year is facing trial for breaching sailing laws. Abraham Louhenapessy, better known as Captain Bram, faces a maximum two years in prison for hiring crew members who did not have proper documents to man his boat, the Jaya Lestari 5. The boat sailed from the Indonesian island of Batam bound for Christmas Island in late September, but the Indonesian navy stopped it early the following month with Bram still on board. At the time, the boat was waiting to transfer him to another vessel so he did not have to enter Australian waters. Prosecutors were unable to charge him with more serious offences, partly because people- smuggling is not yet a crime in Indonesia.
See: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/people-smuggler-to-get-only-a-small-fine/story-e6frg6nf-1225831550231; Two face deportation from Christmas Island; Paul Maley; 18/2/10; http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/two-face-deportation-from-christmas-island/story-e6frg6nf-1225831554879; Sailors backed on asylum boat blast; Lindsay Murdoch; 16/2/10; http://www.theage.com.au/national/sailors-backed-on-asylum-boat-blast-20100217-odwq.html
Tags: Australia, Indonesia, Migrants & Refugees