Indonesia to Have Police Attaches in Turkey to Prevent Citizens from Joining ISIS

Eight deported Indonesians (in white robes) probed for ties to ISIS.

Jakarta, 03 Rajab 1438/31 March 2017 (MINA) – Indonesia will have three police attaches in its embassy in Ankara, Turkey, this June, to prevent Indonesian nationals from joining ISIS in Syria via the Turkish border.

“A memorandum of understanding will be signed with Turkey this June. The presence of police attaches is crucial,” Antara quoted Inspector General HS Maltha, head of the International Relations Division of the National Police (Polri), as saying, Friday.

Three officers at the senior commissioner level of the Counter-terrorism special detachment, Densus 88, will be selected for the police attache post.

They will be posted in Ankara for two years, and their term could be extended.

“Many people crossed (the Turkish border) to Syria to join ISIS. We will try to prevent them,” he affirmed.

So far, at least 300 Indonesians have attempted to cross to Syria from Turkey.

They were mostly persuaded by the ISIS who offered a huge amount of money.

Indonesia has also approached Jordan and other Asian countries to place police attaches.

So far, the National Police has assigned police attaches in nine countries, namely the United States of America, Malaysia, the Philippines, East Timor, Australia, Singapore, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.

Besides, Polri has also placed adjunct senior commissioners in Indonesian consulates general in Johor Baru, Penang, Kuching and Tawao in Malaysia, Davao in the Philippines, and Hong Kong. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)