Immigration authorities in Medan, North Sumatra, have detained 85 Sri Lankan citizens for trespassing on Indonesian territory without documents.
Medan immigration office head Purbanus Sinaga said on Saturday that illegal immigrants were arrested when entering the country through the Tanjung Balai in Asahan regency.
“They entered Indonesia using wooden boats and have paid a lot of money. They have been deceived by local middlemen and then stranded in the city,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency.
He added the Sri Lankans were being held in a special detention house for
illegal immigrants.
The immigration office recently detained 395 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Palestine, Myanmar, Pakistan, Taiwan and Nepal who were seeking asylum in Australia. (rms)
