April 30, 2010 | Jakarta Globe | Nivell Rayda
The National Police and immigration officials have slapped a travel ban on treasure hunter Michael Hatcher, as authorities investigate allegations that he stole undersea artifacts.
“We have imposed a travel ban, that is one of our anticipative measures,” National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi said on Friday.He said police were still tracking the whereabouts of the 70-year-old treasure hunter, who was reportedly born in Britain but grew up in Australia.
He is being tracked down for trying to smuggle thousands of pieces of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) porcelain out of the country in two ships that were intercepted off West Java in September. Some 2,360 pieces of porcelain were seized on the ships.
“We are still investigating the case and no one has been charged yet,” Ito said.
He is being tracked down for trying to smuggle thousands of pieces of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) porcelain out of the country in two ships that were intercepted off West Java in September. Some 2,360 pieces of porcelain were seized on the ships.
“We are still investigating the case and no one has been charged yet,” Ito said.
Police are moving to prevent Micheal Hatcher, pictured, from entering the country after he is believed to have found yet another shipwreck and treasure.
Maroloan Barimbing, spokesman for the Directorate General of Immigration at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, said that although Hatcher was a foreigner and could be out of the country, a travel ban was still possible. “If he enters Indonesian territory he will be prevented from leaving again.” The ban will be in effect until October.
Aji Sularso, director general of supervision at the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said Hatcher should be immediately declared a suspect.
“Police should name him as a suspect to make the investigation process easier. By charging Hatcher, police could cooperate with Interpol to track his whereabouts and ensure that he will be brought to justice.”
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea recognizes the “preferential rights” (and not claims) of the country of origin, cultural origin or historical/archaeological origin, leaving a legal quandary over who can claim shipwrecks or cargoes.
Hatcher’s salvage missions in Indonesia began in 1980 with the discovery of the wreck of the De Geldermalsen in East Bintan, Riau Islands, from which he recovered Chinese porcelain that was auctioned for $20 million.
In 1999, Hatcher raised 365,000 porcelain items from the wreck of the Chinese junk Tek Sing, which ran aground off southern Sumatra in 1822, constituting the biggest find of its type ever.
Since 2008 Hatcher has been seen in Blanakan, West Java, with operator PT Comexindo Usaha Mandiri, which was only permitted to survey the area from 2009.
Illegal salvaging is punishable by up to five years in prison and Rp 50 million ($5,500) in fines.
Additional reporting by AFP
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