NEWS.com.au, September 13, 2006 08:28pm
Robson detained in Indonesia
By Maria Hawthorne
SEVEN network personality Naomi Robson and a television crew have been stopped
by Indonesian authorities after attempting to enter the troubled province of Papua on
tourist visas, Indonesian authorities have confirmed.
[PHOTO: Detained ... Robson faces deportation and could be fined or barred from
returning, authorities say. / Image supplied]
The Today Tonight current affairs show host and her four-member crew were
questioned on arrival at Jayapura airport in Papua this morning after a tip-off from
anonymous sources, Indonesian foreign affairs department spokesman Desra
Percaya said.
The five are now expected to be deported and possibly fined and blacklisted from ever
entering Indonesia.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed that the
five were discussing their internal travel arrangements with the Indonesian authorities.
A Seven Network spokeswoman said Ms Robson was overseas on a special
assignment, which was expected to last for a few weeks.
From Jakarta, Mr Percaya said: "I can confirm that there are five journalists from
Channel Seven, the Australian TV broadcaster."
"They were entering Indonesia through Denpasar and then Jayapura.
"When we looked at papers, the documentation, it seems there was a breach of
immigration regulation, meaning that they entered Indonesia using the on-arrival visa
which is for tourism, while we do have some information and other indication that they
are going to do some ki! nd of journalistic activity.
"That's why they were being questioned by the local authorities, by the police.
"It is still being processed."
He said there were three punishment possibilities for breaching the visa regulations -
immediate deportation, deportation and a fine, or deportation, a fine and blacklisting.
"There is no decision on that yet," Mr Percaya said.
He said authorities received information yesterday that the five were due to arrive on a
tourist visa today.
Mr Percaya said the five had been questioned but were not detained.
"They are not held - they are staying in a hotel and the processes are being done," he
said.
Papua was the centre of! a diplomatic row between Australia and Indonesia earlier this
year after Australia granted protection visas to 43 boat people who fled the province
claiming persecution by Indonesian authorities.
The asylum seekers were part of a separatist movement which claims that the
Indonesian military is carrying out genocide in the province.
Copyright 2006 News Limited.
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