Kazakhstanis detained in Indonesia: Foreign Ministry seeking lawyers

Tengrinews.kz - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan has provided details on the detention of two Kazakh citizens in Indonesia.
According to Aibek Smadiyarov, the official spokesperson for the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, the detention took place this spring, and the investigation into the Kazakhstanis is still ongoing.

“They have not yet been sentenced (to the death penalty — ed.), the investigation is underway, and the trial is still ahead. We knew about this back in spring. They were detained in spring. At the moment, we are working to find good lawyers and are maintaining contact with their families,” Smadiyarov said.

The official added that the return of the Kazakh citizens to their homeland would only be possible after a court verdict comes into force.

“Before that, there needs to be a bilateral agreement on the transfer of convicted persons. Unfortunately, we do not have such an agreement with Indonesia. But our diplomats in Indonesia will make every effort to reach at least some understanding with the local authorities,” Smadiyarov noted.

When asked about possible punishment for the detainees, including the death penalty, the ministry spokesperson replied that such an outcome was quite realistic. Smadiyarov declined to disclose detailed information about the detained Kazakhstanis.

“I don’t know their professions, but they are young guys. And their relatives, to be honest, do not want to disclose more detailed information. They were arrested for drug trafficking. You know, in Southeast Asia, in any of these countries, the punishment for that is very severe,” he concluded.

Earlier, Indonesian media reported the arrest of a U.S. citizen and two Kazakh citizens on the popular resort island of Bali for alleged drug-related crimes.
The Kazakh nationals were arrested in April this year, with approximately 49 grams of crystal methamphetamine found in their possession. The detainees were charged with drug distribution and could face the death penalty.
How drug offenses are punished in Indonesia
In Indonesia, the death penalty is prescribed for possession and illegal trafficking of drugs. The maximum punishment — life imprisonment — may be imposed if the quantity of prohibited substances exceeds one kilogram for unprocessed drugs such as marijuana, or five grams for processed drugs such as heroin and cocaine.