Australian journalist detained in Indonesia

AN AUSTRALIAN journalist has been detained in Indonesia while trying to cover preparations for the executions of the Bali Nine duo.

Candace Sutton.

AUSTRALIAN journalist Candace Sutton has been detained in Indonesia while covering preparations for the Bali Nine executions.

According to the Jakarta Post, the Daily Mail journalist was detained in Cilacap, a sea port in the southern coast of the island of Java, for allegedly violating immigration law.

“We have held a Daily Mail journalist from Australia for lacking any recommendation letter from the Foreign Ministry (to carry out journalistic activities in Indonesia),” Cilacap Immigration Office communication and information head Adithia P. Barus said, as quoted by Antara news agency on Thursday.

Journalist Candace Sutton has been detained in Indonesia.

Sutton was reportedly in Indonesia on a “visit visa” but filing stories on the preparations for the execution of Australian prisoners Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, using an anonymous byline.

Adithia said the journalist was being interrogated at the immigration office and could be deported depending on the results of the interrogation.

Last year two Australian journalists were deported from Indonesia for visa violations while covering Schapelle Corby’s release.

Other journalists from Brazil and Peru who were discovered trying to cover preparations for those executed on January 18 were also deported.

Adithia said the interrogation would be presented to the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s directorate general for immigration in Jakarta.

Immigration officers have been seen checking documents of a number of foreign journalists covering execution preparations at the Wijayapura Dock.

Eleven death row convicts are scheduled to be executed on Nusakambangan.