The case is being investigated."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla said he was informed about the arrest of Indonesian citizens in Brunei Darussalam for allegedly carrying explosives.

"Its true that I have learned about it (the arrest) directly from both sides---from the police and Brunei authorities. The case is being investigated," Kalla stated at the Vice Presidential Palace here on Friday.

Earlier, the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry had confirmed a report that the Brunei police had arrested three Indonesians who were heading to Saudi Arabia to perform umroh (minor hajj).

They were arrested for allegedly carrying explosives and flags of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Director of Indonesian Citizens Protection and Legal Aid (PWNI-BHI) Lalu Muhammad Iqbal said they were arrested for carrying suspicious items.

"The Brunei police made the arrests after they found suspicious items, including bullets, in one of the bags or suitcases belonging to the Indonesian citizens," Iqbal affirmed.

Quoting a report from the Indonesian Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan, he noted that the Brunei police had detained three Indonesian nationals for carrying suspicious and dangerous items.

"The Brunei government notified the embassy about the arrest of three Indonesians, two men and one woman. They were arrested at Brunei International Airport on May 2. No detailed information on the identities of the three Indonesians is available," he pointed out.

The Indonesian citizens, who hail from the East Java province, made a stopover at Brunei International Airport en route to Saudi Arabia by a Royal Brunei Airlines flight to perform umroh.

Two of the three Indonesians were released and allowed to proceed with their trip to Saudi Arabia, while one is being held in custody.

"The two Indonesians who were released proceeded with their trip to Jedda. The Internal Security Department has taken over the handling of the Indonesian citizen, who will stand trial on May 11. The case will be processed in accordance with the local law," he explained.

(Reported by Fransiska Ninditya/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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