Foreign diving instructor detained in Makassar over alleged illegal leatherback turtle hunt

The Makassar Immigration Office, led by Abdi Widodo Subagio, confirmed the detention of a foreign national known only by the initials WS, a diving instructor, at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport on Monday afternoon. WS was about to board AirAsia flight AK335 to Kuala Lumpur when officials, acting on a request from the Raja Ampat District Government, stopped him to ensure he could face charges in Indonesia. The suspect is accused of spearfishing a protected leatherback sea turtle in the Piaynemo area of Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua, and allegedly consuming the animal, as evidenced by a social-media photo of turtle soup.

The arrest was carried out peacefully, with no resistance from WS. He remains in custody at the Makassar Immigration Office and will be handed over to the Sorong Immigration Office for prosecution. Coordination between the immigration office and the district government continues as the case proceeds.