Jakarta – Two English journalists arrested in Batam, Riau Islands, will soon face trial for allegedly violating immigration regulations, according to Ronny F. Sompie, the head of the Law and Human Rights Ministry's immigration directorate general.
"Neil Borner and Becky Prosser can be charged for their crimes. Their dossiers are currently being examined by prosecutors. Once they're complete, the first hearing will be held," Ronny said at the Presidential Palace on Monday.
The two were arrested by navy personnel in Batam waters in May. According to Ronny, they were engaged in journalistic activity despite holding only tourist visas.
The prosecution has continued despite President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's recent call to protect the rights of foreign journalists working in Indonesia.
Borner and Posser reportedly applied for journalistic visas at the Indonesian Embassy in London on April 16 and 17 this year, but as of May 20, their applications had not been approved.
The pair decided to forge ahead regardless with their film project, traveling to Sekupang Port in Riau Islands to recruit locals. They were subsequently arrested by the navy and brought to military headquarters in Batam.