Foreign National Arrested for Killing Protected Leatherback Turtle in Raja Ampat

RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - A case of environmental destruction and the killing of protected wildlife has once again shaken the Raja Ampat Marine Conservation Area in Southwest Papua. A foreign national, identified by the initials WS, is strongly suspected of killing a leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) using a spearfishing weapon.

Officers from the Class I Special Immigration Office Immigration Checkpoint (TPI) Makassar ultimately arrested WS in the departure area of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi. The arrest was carried out as the alleged perpetrator attempted to flee abroad.

“We secured the individual when he was indicated to be traveling on AirAsia flight number AK335 on the Makassar to Kuala Lumpur route,” said Head of the Class I Special Immigration Office TPI Makassar, Abdi Widodo Subagio, in Makassar on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

WS, who works as a diving instructor trainer, is strongly suspected of committing environmental destruction and killing a protected leatherback turtle in the Raja Ampat waters, Southwest Papua. As reported by Antara, the case began with public reports of spearfishing activities conducted by the alleged perpetrator in the Paynemo waters area of Raja Ampat Regency.

Tragically, the activity allegedly targeted protected marine wildlife such as turtles. In a viral video circulating on social media, he is seen shooting a leatherback turtle with a spearfishing gun.

The turtle was cornered among coral and seaweed when he fired his shot, striking it directly in the neck. It is suspected that after the protected animal died, it was taken for consumption.

The suspect was secured by the Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team (Inteldakim) in the departure area of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Maros Regency on Monday, 14 September 2026, at around 5 p.m. local time.

Abdi said the arrest was an appropriate step in response to the travel ban request submitted by the Raja Ampat Regency Administration related to the suspect’s actions. “This action (the arrest) was taken so that the law enforcement process in Indonesia can be completed first,” asserted Abdi.

Due to concerns that the alleged perpetrator might escape legal accountability, the Raja Ampat Regency Administration previously submitted a request letter numbered 500.5.6.5/342/2026 on 14 September 2026 to prevent his departure. The report was quickly followed up by the Immigration Inspection Post Team at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, enabling the suspect to be secured before departing for Kuala Lumpur.

As a follow-up measure, Makassar Immigration continues to maintain intensive coordination with the Raja Ampat Regency Administration and the Class II TPI Sorong Immigration Office. WS is currently temporarily detained at the Class I Special Immigration Office TPI Makassar, to be handed over to the Sorong Immigration Office for further processing. ***