This will make them vulnerable to become victims of human trafficking and exploitation abroad."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The immigration service of Soekarnp-Hatta airport in Banten province canceled departures of 16 Indonesian citizens believed to work illegally in the Middle East.

The spokesman of the Immigration Directorate General, Agung Sampurno, confirmed the cancellation here on Sunday saying that 15 of the citizens hailed from West Java and another one from Sumbawa, in the eastern province of Nusa Tenggara.

He said the immigration officers decided to cancel their trip because they failed to give clear explanation regarding their purpose of going to the Middle East.

"This will make them vulnerable to become victims of human trafficking and exploitation abroad," he added.

The citizens were scheduled to board Qatar Airways serving Jakarta-Doha at 07.45am on Sunday.

The Soekarno-Hatta immigration has also cancelled the departures of 11 citizens at 20.50pm on Saturday to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who were believed to work illegally in that country.

On Saturday at 00.15am it also cancelled the departures of three citizens who were believed to work illegally in the Middle East. The three hailing from East Java were scheduled to board Ethihad Airways serving Jakarta-Abu Dhabi.

(Reported by Taufik Ridwan/Uu.H-YH/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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