Detained asylum seekers being landed in Indonesia
Updated
The Australian customs vessel, the Oceanic Viking is expected at the port of Kijang on the Indonesian island of Bintan later today.
It's still not clear exactly what time the ship carrying 78 asylum seekers will arrive - or whether it will dock or first transfer its passengers to a smaller Indonesian vessel. Either way, the Sri Lankans - who've been on a hunger strike since Saturday - are bound for a detention centre which is under investigation by local police.
Presenter: Geoff Thompson, Indonesia correspondent
Speaker: Captain Edy Kuncoro, the Chief Detective of Tanjung Pinang police; Rabusallam, the police chief at Kijang Port where the Oceanic Viking is expected to dock
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THOMPSON: (sfx - sound from windows)They were desperate pleas from desperate men - some of the mostly Afghan Hazaras who have locked up in this Australian-funded detention centre here in Tanjung Pinang for between two and six months.
(sound from windows)
After those allegations of abuse on Friday, local immigration officials said they weren't true. They said the detainees make them up and sometimes hurt themselves to gain attention to their asylum claims.
The Director General of Immigration in Jakarta, Basyir Barmawi said he doubted the Afghans were beaten by staff because the detention centre is understaffed but if there was proof action would be taken.
But the ABC has now seen the proof and it's currently before Indonesian police.
Just two weeks ago after some of the Afghans spent about 12,000 dollars bribing their way out of the detention centre, a police investigation was launched and a group of the Afghan detainees were caught on video at the police station showing their cuts, bruises and blackeyes.
The Chief Detective of Tanjung Pinang police, Captain Edy Kuncoro says:
KUNCORO: "We are investigating six altogether. Some are guards and some are from immigration. They were in charge that night. So far their status is just as witnesses - they've refused to confess, but we'll see how it goes. If they are guilty they could be sentenced to seven years"
THOMPSON: This is the alleged situation at the detention centre where the 78 Sri Lankans aboard the Oceanic Viking are due to be delivered today. Hunger strking since Saturday, it's by no means guaranteed that the group will be prepared to disembark voluntarily.
But Rabusallam, the police chief at Kijang Port where the Oceanic Viking is expected to dock says:
RABUSALLAM: "We'll try and comply with them because they're exhausted both mentally and physically but if they refuse to get down, it will depend on the next orders from my superior officer about the next step".
THOMPSON: Asked whether force was an option, he said "Yes, as long as we don't violate their human rights".
