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'Trust us': Indonesia to handle case of elusive people smuggler

A notorious people smuggler whose history with Australia dates back to 1999 may have gotten as far as Kenya while on the run from Indonesian authorities.

People smuggler
Indonesian people smuggler Abraham Louhenapessy, also know as Captain Bram, seen at Rote Island Police Station, Rote, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. Source: AAP

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Source: AAP


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Indonesian police say Australia must "trust" them to finalise the investigation of a notorious people smuggler and bring his case to court.

Captain Bram, whose real name is Abraham Louhenapessy, was arrested by Indonesian authorities at his Jakarta home last week after months of being on the run.

The 62-year-old's history of smuggling people to Australia dates back to 1999, with authorities saying he likely helped organise the passage of more than 1500 asylum seekers.

He was wanted for allegedly organising the boat on which crew say they were paid more than $US30,000 by Australian officials to turn back from heading to New Zealand in May last year. It is understood he did not receive any of the money paid by Australian authorities.

When it came to organising his own passage to other countries, he appeared to be just as skilled.

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Indonesian authorities believe Bram may have gone as far as Kenya while on the run.

"He's the mastermind of immigrants cases in Indonesia," Rote Ndao District Police Chief Detective, Benediktus Min told reporters on Tuesday.

"To AFP, I promised that this case will be completely finished," Det Min said.

"I want AFP to trust Rote police to finish this case."

In the first pictures of the notorious captain since his arrest, Bram was on Tuesday brought out to media at Rote Island Police Station in East Nusa Tenggara province - about 860km northwest of Darwin.

He wore a blue t-shirt with the words "Soar Like an Eagle".

Bram did not say anything.

In 2010 Bram was fined 25 million rupiah (A$2500) over a failed attempt to bring 254 Sri Lankan asylum seekers into Australia the previous year.

The ship was stopped by the Indonesian navy on Australia's request with the Tamils docked in West Java and refusing to come ashore for months.

Due to a lack smuggling laws in Indonesia at the time, he was charged with maritime offences, paid the fine and avoided jail.

This time, however, Bram could face people smuggling offences.

Laws passed in Indonesia in 2011 introduced tough penalties of up to 15 years in prison for people convicted of people-smuggling offences.


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