Nine Indonesian citizens who were detained following the interception of humanitarian aid vessels linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla mission have returned to Indonesia after being released.
The incident began after Israeli forces intercepted several humanitarian vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission on 18 May 2026. The operation led to the detention of a number of international volunteers, including nine Indonesians.
The volunteers were released on 21 May local time and later transported to Turkey on a chartered flight arranged by local authorities before continuing their journey back to Indonesia.
According to a report from Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), the nine Indonesians involved in the mission were:
- Herman Budianto Sudarsono from GPCI and Dompet Dhuafa aboard the Zapyro vessel
- Ronggo Wirasanu from GPCI and Dompet Dhuafa aboard the Zapyro vessel
- Andi Angga Prasadewa from GPCI and Rumah Zakat aboard the Josef vessel
- Asad Aras Muhammad from GPCI and Spirit of Aqsa aboard the Kasr-1 vessel
- Hendro Prasetyo from GPCI and SMART 171 aboard the Kasr-1 vessel
- Bambang Noroyono from Republika aboard the BoraLize vessel
- Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah from Republika aboard the Ozgurluk vessel
- Andre Prasetyo Nugroho from Tempo aboard the Ozgurluk vessel
- Rahendro Herubowo from GPCI and the iNews media team aboard the Ozgurluk vessel
Return Journey and Arrival in Indonesia
Media Coordinator of Global Peace Convoy Indonesia, Harfin Naqsyabandy, previously confirmed the volunteers’ repatriation schedule.
“We’ll arrive in Jakarta Sunday afternoon,” Harfin told reporters on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
He said the group departed from Istanbul on Saturday evening before transiting through Dubai.
“Confirmed to board an Emirates flight on Saturday, May 23, at 7:35 PM, Istanbul–Dubai. Dubai–Jakarta, Sunday, May 24, at 4:10 AM, arriving at 3:30 PM WIB,” he said.
The nine Indonesians arrived in Indonesia on Sunday afternoon. Based on observations at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, they exited the terminal building at approximately 4:25 PM WIB.
The group was seen wearing keffiyehs, traditional Palestinian scarves. Family members and supporters welcomed them with banners and Palestinian flags while greeting them outside the arrival area.
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Government Response and Accounts From Detention
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono welcomed the volunteers upon their arrival and said those experiencing physical trauma would receive follow-up treatment.
“Thank you, welcome back, have a nice reunion with your families. It was reported earlier that several of our colleagues suffered physical trauma and will also receive further treatment,” Sugiono said at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Sunday.
He also expressed appreciation to the parties involved in the release and return process.
“Thank you to the President for your direction, to the members of Commission I, the leadership and members of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, and the Global Sumud Flotilla,” he said.
“We express our special thanks to the governments of Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt, who have also provided assistance, especially the Turkish government, which assisted in retrieving our brothers and sisters from Ashdod,” he continued.
One of the returning volunteers, Rahendro Herubowo, later shared his account of the detention period.
According to Heru, volunteers were transferred after being detained at sea while carrying food and medical supplies intended for residents in Gaza.
He described conditions during detention as cold and difficult.
“It was hard to even sleep, and the temperature on the boat was cold. We were stripped naked, some were allowed to wear very thin undershirts,” Heru told reporters and quoted from Liputan6.
Heru said he remembered being ordered to lie face down during the initial arrest.
“We deliberately made the boat wet with running water,” he explained.
He also said passports belonging to the volunteers were confiscated. Heru further alleged that several detainees experienced physical abuse.
“Hits on the head and body, stepped on when they fell, and even electrocuted,” he said while describing the treatment he and other activists said they experienced during detention.
For those who reported physical trauma, Indonesian authorities said follow-up care would be provided after their return.
Cover photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia/Bisnis.com
