JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Indonesian National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) is raising concerns over the potential return of former combatants such as Satria Kumbara to the country. According to Sudaryanto, Deputy for Prevention, Protection, and Deradicalization at BNPT, the agency is closely monitoring such requests amid fears that they could be used as a new channel for terrorist infiltration.

Satria Kumbara, a former member of the Indonesian Navy’s Marine Corps, had previously joined as a mercenary in the Russian military.

He recently expressed his desire to return to Indonesia after serving on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. His case has drawn public and governmental attention, prompting authorities to consider broader implications.

“We are cautious because we are aware that Russia hosts Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs). We have mechanisms in place—before the border, at the border, and after the border,” Sudaryanto stated during a public meeting in Temanggung, Central Java, on August 7.

He emphasized that BNPT’s responsibility lies in the post-border phase, particularly focusing on deradicalization efforts.

If a returnee is suspected of terrorism-related activities, BNPT will begin by identifying the individual and assessing their legal standing. If found to be involved in criminal activities, the individual will be handed over to the police and judiciary for prosecution under Indonesia’s Anti-Terrorism Law No. 5 of 2018.

On the other hand, if the individual has no pending criminal cases, BNPT will initiate a deradicalization process. This effort aims to transform extremist views into more moderate beliefs aligned with societal values. The program is part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to prevent future acts of terrorism through rehabilitation.

Sudaryanto also clarified that BNPT does not evaluate returnees based on financial incentives they may have received abroad. Instead, their focus is on ideological motivations, particularly among those who joined foreign conflicts under the guise of defending fellow Muslims.

In a related development, Member of Parliament TB Hasanuddin stated that the government has no obligation to provide legal or diplomatic protection to individuals like Satria if they have lost their Indonesian citizenship. He referred to existing regulations that revoke nationality for those serving in foreign armed forces.

“If it’s confirmed that he no longer holds Indonesian citizenship, then the government is not required to protect him,” Hasanuddin said during a press briefing on July 23. He called on the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to thoroughly verify Kumbara’s legal status to determine the state’s responsibilities.

Hasanuddin cited Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022, which outlines the automatic loss of citizenship for Indonesians who voluntarily serve in foreign militaries. He urged the government to act decisively in upholding these rules, particularly in sensitive cases involving national security risks.

There is currently no verified data regarding the exact number of Indonesian citizens (WNI) acting as mercenaries in Europe, whether fighting on the side of Russia or Ukraine. While the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that 10 Indonesians had joined the Ukrainian forces as foreign fighters — with four allegedly killed — this information has been strongly disputed by various parties, including the Ukrainian ambassador to Indonesia, who labeled the claim as propaganda. Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also stated that the claim requires further verification, and the Indonesian military (TNI) denied being the source of such data. As of now, no official or independent sources can confirm the presence or exact number of Indonesians serving as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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