27 May 2010

French journalists due to be deported from Indonesia are now allowed to stay

9:45 am on 27 May 2010

The two French journalists who were set to be deported back to France after being detained in Indonesia's Papua have now been allowed to stay in the country for two more days.

Baudoin Koenig and Carol Helene Lorthiois of Mano Mano TV Arte were arrested for covering a rally in front of the Papuan legislative building.

Ms Lorthiois had entered Indonesia on a tourism visa.

Mr Koenig had a permit issued last month by the Tourism and Cultural Ministry in Jakarta to cover parts of the country for a documentary, including Papua but not Jayapura.

But Transparency International Indonesia says with strong support from the French Embassy, the Department of Immigration has now confirmed the pair can remain for two days.

Todung Mulya Lubis, a lawyer with Transparency International, says they will now try other solutions to finish their film.