TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Australian government is allegedly detaining 40 Indonesian youth thought to be part of a human trafficking syndicate, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa announced yesterday. Marty said that both countries were still verifying the information.

“If they’re underage, they must certainly be treated as juveniles and be separated from the adult cells,” he said. He also said the verification processes in both countries was different and expected the Indonesian nationals would be repatriated soon.

According to Marty, during his visit to Jakarta, the Australian foreign minister agreed not to detain the Indonesian youths in adult cells.So far, he said, 19 children had been repatriated. Seven of them were arrested in Christmas Island and 12 were arrested in Australia. The case was revealed in June when 504 Indonesians were identified as partof an alleged trafficking syndicate.
Those arrested were detained in several places, including Hakea Prison in Perth, West Australia and the immigration detention center. In July, the Australian government released three of alleged people smugglers after the prosecutor found proof they were underage.

They are Ose Lani (15), Ako Lani (16) and Jhon Ndollu (17).