Chinese diver charged in Indonesia turtle killing case
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
Indonesian police have escalated their investigation into a 36-year-old Chinese national, Shang Wei (商魏), over allegations that he used scuba gear and a speargun to kill a protected hawksbill turtle near the Fam Islands in Raja Ampat between September 8 and 11. Authorities said the turtle was later taken back to a guesthouse and was suspected to have been cooked and eaten there. Police have now treated the matter as a criminal case, announced multiple pieces of seized evidence, and said they are seeking Interpol Red Notices for two companions who have already left Indonesia. Shang has denied the allegations since his arrest
Key Points
- Police said Shang allegedly dived in waters near the Fam Islands, Raja Ampat, from September 8 to 11 and shot a hawksbill turtle with a speargun while using scuba equipment
- Searches of the sea area, underwater scene and the guesthouse recovered a turtle skeleton, shell fragments, a machete and seasoning containers bearing Chinese labels
- Investigators also seized four mobile phones, a laptop, two cameras, Shang’s Chinese passport and driving licence, and said five witnesses had been questioned
- Indonesian police announced on September 23 that they had secured at least two sufficient pieces of evidence and upgraded the matter to criminal investigation
- Under Indonesian conservation law, the charge can carry three to 15 years’ imprisonment and fines of 200 million to 5 billion rupiah, with deportation and blacklisting also possible
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong and other travellers in the region, the case is a reminder that wildlife offences in marine protected areas can trigger serious criminal liability, not just administrative penalties. It also shows how social media posts, local patrol reports and immigration interception can quickly turn alleged misconduct by visitors into a cross-border law-enforcement case