Indonesians Plead Not Guilty to Immigrant Smuggling
VOA News
5 Feb 2002 04:02 UTC
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Three Indonesian men have pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to smuggle more than 430 people into Australia aboard a leaking fishing boat last August. The men were charged in an Australian court with trying to bring, organize and facilitate people who would become unlawful citizens. No trial date has been set.

The asylum seekers came to international attention when they were rescued by a Norwegian Freighter in the Indian Ocean and then barred from entering Australia.

The migrants were eventually sent to New Zealand and the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru.

The United Nations and several countries harshly criticized Australia for its vehement refusal to allow the vessel to dock on Australian soil.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.

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