NO :  46/PR/VIII/2004

Indonesia strongly condemns the killing of its citizen in Mosul ( Iraq )

The Government of Indonesia strongly condemns the ambush which took place  in Mosul (Iraq) on 22 August 2004 resulting in the killing of Mr. Fahmi Akhmad Wani (age 26), an Indonesian civilian reportedly being employed by Siemens through its sub-contractor company (Penta Consulting) to carry out a construction work for building a cellular phone network in Mosul.  In relation to  this tragic event, the Government of Indonesia expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Fahmi Akhmad Wani

The killing of innocent civilians enjoying the status of non-combatant clearly  violates the 1949 Geneva Convention which inter alia obliges all parties concerned to protect  innocent civilians in time of armed conflicts.

Through its Embassy in Amman (Jordan) and Consulate General in Dubai, the Government of Indonesia has dispatched its officials to Iraq to obtain chronological information of this incident from the Iraqi authority as well as to make necessary arrangements for sending  home the remain of Mr. Fahmi Akhmad Wani. The Government of Indonesia is also taking steps to ensure that the company employing Mr Fahmi Akhmad Wani will honor and fulfill the rights associated with the terms of his working contract and insurance benefit.   

The Government of Indonesia urges the Iraqi Interim Government to investigate thoroughly this tragic killing and to bring those responsible to justice. 

Given the current security situation in Iraq which remains quite dangerous, the Government of Indonesia once again urges citizens of Indonesia to avoid travel to Iraq , including in accepting work contracts in Iraq .  The Government of Indonesia also advises its citizens who may currently still be in Iraq to exercise their utmost care and vigilance as well as to make their presence in Iraq known to the nearest Indonesian Embassies in the region and urgently to consider the possibility of leaving Iraq as soon as possible.

Jakarta , 24 August 2004