As Uygurs exit Indonesian jail, China-Turkey repatriation tussle brews
- Indonesia jailed three Uygurs in 2015 for attempting to join an Isis-linked terrorist group and entering the country illegally
- The fate of the men, who were holding fake Turkish passports during their trial, remains uncertain
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the trio may face dire consequences if returned to China, where “mass arbitrary detention, torture, and mistreatment” of Muslims in Xinjiang province by the Chinese government have been documented.
Beijing considers many Uygurs to be extremists and claims they are dangerous to China’s national security.
A senior Indonesian security source told This Week in Asia that three Uygurs had been released after completing their jail terms, while another two were still serving their sentences.
“Both Beijing and Ankara have asked for them,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to not being authorised to speak with the press. “Both are pressuring us.”
The source added that Indonesia had yet to make any decision on the fate of the three Uygurs. “Hopefully, by this week [a decision would be made].”
Uygurs, who speak a Turkic language, have sought refuge in Turkey for decades.