Brig. Gen. Frega Ferdinand Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Defense Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defense, said the ministry had pursued defense diplomacy with Myanmar to secure Putra’s release.
"The Ministry of Defense received information about Arnold Putra's status on July 4, 2025. In response, we immediately took proactive steps through a defense diplomacy approach for humanitarian reasons," he stated on Tuesday.
The ministry also collaborated with several parties in facilitating the repatriation, including Hashim Djojohadikusumo — the younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto — and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF).
Representing the Ministry of Defense, Inkiriwang expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Hashim and the SPF.
He also reminded Indonesian citizens abroad to exercise caution, especially when traveling in conflict-affected regions.
Inkiriwang confirmed that Putra returned to Indonesia on July 21 aboard Garuda Indonesia flight GA 867 from Bangkok.
Putra had been detained by Myanmar authorities since December 20, 2024, after allegedly entering the country illegally from Thailand and engaging with armed groups considered outlawed by the Myanmar military government, including the People's Defense Force (PDF) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).
He was charged under the 1947 Immigration Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and Article 17(2) of the Prohibited Associations Act, and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment at Insein Prison in Yangon.
Earlier, Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Putra had been granted amnesty by the Myanmar authorities.
"On July 16, 2025, the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a diplomatic note to the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon, informing that Arnold Putra had been granted amnesty by the State Administration Council," the ministry stated.
Following the amnesty, Putra was deported via Thailand on July 19 before returning to Indonesia.
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Translator: Walda Marison, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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