JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry is closely monitoring the case of a former marine who reportedly joined Russian forces as a mercenary and is now seeking help to return home.
Ministry spokesperson Rolliansyah Soemirat said the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow is actively monitoring the whereabouts of the former Indonesian Navy marine and has established contact with him.
"The issue of the man’s citizenship status falls under the authority of Indonesia’s Law Ministry,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 22).
Local media have identified the man as Satria Arta Kumbara (pic), who is said to have asked the Indonesian government to help facilitate his return and reunite him with his family.
Satria, who is reportedly still on the front line of the conflict, has apologised, saying he did not realise that signing a contract with a foreign military would lead to the loss of his Indonesian citizenship. - Bernama
