SINGAPORE: Singaporean man, Mr.Lim Yong Nam, who was detained by the customs in Batam has been extended his detention for 30 days, said The Foreign Ministry.
Mr Lim has been detained in Batam. He was arrested at the Batam Centre Ferry Terminal when he tried to enter Indonesia, as he is on Interpol’s Red Notice. Lim is reportedly wanted by the United States for allegedly smuggling electronic parts from US to Iran, between 2007 and 2008.
Channel NewsAsia understands that Interpol Notices are not arrest warrants. According to Interpol, people listed on its Red Notices are wanted by national jurisdictions for prosecution, or to serve a sentence based on an arrest warrant or court decision.
In 2012, the Singapore High Court had rejected the United State’s request for Lim’s extradition. The court said this was because Lim’s alleged wrongdoing in the US was not considered an offence in Singapore.
Lim and four other Singaporeans were accused by the US of smuggling. He was one of two Singaporeans who were not extradited to the US. The other two – Lim Kow Seng and Benson Hia Soon Gan – were extradited and pleaded guilty in 2013 in the US to conspiracy to defraud the US by dishonest means.
MFA says it is in touch with the relevant Indonesian authorities to ensure that Mr Lim is given his due legal rights. It is also monitoring Mr Lim’s case closely and will continue to provide consular assistance to Mr Lim and his family.
