World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Police Name 18 Suspects in Abuse Case Involving Four Indonesian Crew Members
Police in Indonesia have named 18 people as suspects in the alleged abuse of four crew members aboard the fishing vessel KM Maulana 23.
The alleged abuse took place while the vessel was operating in waters near the Aru Islands, in Maluku.
The case drew attention after video of an apparent assault circulated on social media.
Police said 24 crew members were examined and 19 were initially strongly suspected of involvement, but evidence supported naming 18 as suspects so far.
Investigators have also opened a separate inquiry into possible human trafficking.
The fishing ministry suspended the vessel’s operations, and the boat was secured at Dobo in the Aru Islands.
Police say they will continue investigating the allegations.
Police named 18 suspects in a suspected abuse case involving four crew members of the fishing vessel KM Maulana 23.
The suspects were selected from 24 crew members examined; police said 19 were strongly suspected, but evidence against one person was still being gathered.
Police said the four crew members were allegedly abused for failing to meet catch targets.
The vessel was operating in the Aru Sea and was secured by Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on October 2.
A separate human trafficking investigation has moved to the investigation stage, police said.
- Who
- Police named 18 crew members of KM Maulana 23 as suspects in the alleged abuse of four crew members.
- What
- The suspects face allegations of abusing the four crew members. Police are also investigating suspected human trafficking.
- When
- Police reported the 18 suspect designations on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The alleged abuse involved the fishing vessel KM Maulana 23, which was operating in the Aru Sea near the Aru Islands.
- Why
- Police said the alleged abuse may have been triggered when crew members failed to meet catch targets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
KM Maulana 23 departed from the Tanjung Priok area bound for Merauke.
A vessel representative contacted the mother of one of the victims and said he was ill.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries secured the vessel and its crew in the Aru Sea.
Police said the suspected human trafficking case had entered the investigation stage.
Police reported that 18 crew members had been named as suspects in the abuse case.
- Suspects named
- 18 crew members
- People initially examined
- 24 crew members
- Strongly suspected
- 19 crew members
- Alleged victims
- 4 crew members
- Vessel
- KM Maulana 23
- Catch target cited
- 3 kilograms of squid
What people are saying
only 18 people have been provisionally named as suspects
We deeply regret and condemn this alleged violence. The safety and welfare of fishing vessel crew members must be a primary concern.
The provisional suspicion is that the victims were abused if they did not meet a target for catching squid or other commodities.
Sources
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