Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) has said it no longer bears responsibility for former marine Satria Arta Kumbara, who was reportedly wounded while fighting as a mercenary for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Speaking to journalists in Jakarta on Monday, TNI Spokesperson Major General Kristomei Sianturi said Satria has no longer been part of the TNI as he has been dishonorably discharged and deserted.

Sianturi emphasized that the TNI has no further interest in the former Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Marine Corps member, whose military status was revoked in 2023. "He is now just an ordinary civilian," he said.

As revealed by a video, posted by former TNI soldier Ruslan Buton on TikTok, Satria was injured in combat while serving as a mercenary in Russia's military.

The footage showed, while suffering a head injury, the former marine delivered a message for the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day.

According to the TNI AL, Satria was dismissed from the Marine Corps Inspectorate following an in absentia verdict by the Jakarta Military Court II-08 on April 6, 2023.

He was convicted of desertion dating back to June 13, 2022, and sentenced to one year in prison. The ruling became legally binding on April 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, Head of the TNI AL Information Service First Admiral Tunggul reaffirmed the fact that Satria has no remaining ties to the Navy.

Therefore, the Navy would not support his recent attempt to regain his Indonesian citizenship as the matter related to citizenship belongs to the jurisdiction of the ministries of foreign and legal affairs, he added.

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Translator: Fath PM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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