Indonesia denies any “external influence” in the case of the two detained Portuguese

In a clarification requested by the Lusa agency, the minister counselor at the Indonesian Embassy in Lisbon, Nilton Amaral, said that “the case is currently being investigated in depth by the Indonesian police, who are committed to carrying out an exhaustive analysis, in accordance with the laws and national procedures” of that country. “We trust your process to identify and prosecute the main perpetrators involved in this case,” he said.

The two Portuguese men were arrested on March 17, suspected of drug trafficking, in Jakarta, Indonesia, a country where the crime is punishable by up to the death penalty.

One of the young people is from Madeira and was a football player, like Cristiano Ronaldo. The name of the footballer currently playing in Saudi Arabia was mentioned by Nilton Amaral in an interview with RTP, in which he stated that a possible solution could go through “diplomatic channels” or other “actors”, giving the example of Ronaldo.

However, and asked about potential influence with a view to a more favorable outcome for the two Portuguese, Nilton Amaral told Lusa that “the legal procedures strictly follow the Indonesian legal framework”. “The result of the process will be determined exclusively by the evidence presented and the applicable legislation, without external influence”, he added.

And he indicated that “the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta is actively involved with the Indonesian authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that detainees receive the necessary consular assistance.” “Our priority is to facilitate communication between detainees and their families in Portugal, providing them with support and providing them with updated information as it emerges,” he said.