Indonesia Seeks Return of UK's Most Prolific Rapist, Reynhard Sinaga

The Indonesian government is working to bring Reynhard Sinaga, Britain's most prolific rapist, back to his home country.

Senior Minister for Law and Human Rights Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, announced that "early talks" have begun with the British government regarding Sinaga's repatriation.

Sinaga, 41, was found guilty in 2020 of committing 159 offenses, including drugging and raping 48 men in Manchester between 2015 and 2017, and sentenced to a minimum of 30 years in prison.

The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has described him as the "worst-known sex offender" in the country’s history.

Yusril stated that the repatriation mechanism could involve a prisoner transfer or an exchange with a British prisoner in Indonesia. "No matter how wrong a citizen is, the country has the obligation to defend its citizen," Yusril said, while also acknowledging the complexities of negotiating with the British government.

Sinaga's family has requested his return, and if the repatriation is successful, he would be imprisoned in a maximum-security jail in Indonesia.Sinaga, who has been in the UK since 2007, targeted young men at bars and clubs, drugging them before taking them to his apartment to assault them.

The investigation into his crimes was the largest rape investigation in British legal history. Indonesia is also considering repatriating Riduan Isamuddin, also known as Hambali, who is accused of involvement in attacks like the 2002 Bali bombings.