Indonesia faces no legal obligation to prevent its citizens from joining mercenary forces in Russia, though individuals risk losing their citizenship by doing so, according to an international law professor. The comments come as Indonesian authorities investigate several cases of citizens allegedly fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine.
Indonesian Citizens Joining Russian Forces
Hikmahanto Juwana, an international law professor from the University of Indonesia, stated that the state does not actively prevent citizens from becoming mercenaries in Russia. However, he emphasized that any Indonesian citizen choosing to do so must be aware of the potential consequences, namely the loss of their Indonesian citizenship.
Recent reports revealed that Second Brigadier Muhammad Rio, an officer with the Aceh regional police mobile brigade (Brimob), deserted his post and joined a Russian mercenary group. This follows a similar case involving Satria Arta Kumbara, a former Indonesian marine.
Kumbara previously appealed to President Prabowo and Foreign Minister Sugiono via a TikTok video, requesting assistance with repatriation and the restoration of his citizenship, which was revoked after he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Authorities say Rio had a history of ethical violations prior to his desertion. The Head of Public Relations of the Aceh Regional Police, Commissioner Joko Krisdiyanto, stated that Rio was previously demoted for an extramarital affair and secret marriage. A ruling by the Police Ethics Code Commission on May 14, 2025, transferred him to the Headquarters Service unit at Brimob.
Rio was reported missing from duty on December 8, 2025, and was unsuccessfully summoned for questioning on December 24, 2025, and January 6, 2026. Investigators discovered evidence of his travel, including a flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Shanghai on December 18, 2025, followed by a flight to Haikou, China, on December 19, 2025.
A wanted persons list (DPO) for Rio was issued by the Aceh Regional Police Brimob on January 7, 2026 (Number: DPO/01/I/HUK.12.10/2026). Later that day, Rio sent a WhatsApp message to a member of the Aceh Regional Police Brimob Provost staff, including photo and video documentation confirming his enlistment in a Russian foreign mercenary division.
Rio detailed the registration process and reported receiving an initial bonus of 2 million rubles (approximately Rp420 million) and a monthly salary of 210,000 rubles (approximately Rp42 million). He is currently believed to be fighting in the Donbass region of Ukraine.
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