Two Kazakhstan Nationals Arrested in Indonesia for Alleged Drug Trafficking

Indonesia has formally notified Kazakhstan about the detention of several Kazakh citizens who could face the death penalty for drug trafficking. The announcement was made by Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev during a Senate session, Orda.kz reports.

The Indonesian side has informed about the detention of Kazakhstan citizens. This fact has been confirmed. The case is currently under investigation by Indonesian law enforcement agencies, Bakayev stated. 

He added that Kazakh diplomats have established direct contact with the detainees, who personally requested consular assistance.

The Kazakh Embassy is actively involved, and our consul is handling the case. When foreign nationals are detained, local authorities are obligated to notify the relevant embassy. In this case, everything was done officially,Bakayev noted. 

The deputy minister also mentioned that Kazakhstan and Indonesia have not signed a bilateral agreement on legal assistance.

Discussions about such an agreement have been ongoing since 2014, but the issue was postponed due to the lack of precedent. Given the current situation, the matter is once again under consideration,he explained. 

Official details of the case have not yet been disclosed.

As previously reported, the two citizens and one American national have been arrested on the Indonesian island of Bali on suspicion of drug trafficking. Under Indonesian law, all three could face the death penalty by firing squad. The American was detained in May, the others in April. 

Authorities reportedly found methamphetamine in their possession.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov