TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister of Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said his side is reviewing the plan to repatriate Reynhard Sinaga, the sexual offender sentenced to life in UK prison. Yusril mentioned the discussion also involved Reynhard’s family.

“We’re reviewing the matter and working alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said in a video statement received by Tempo, quoted on Friday, February 7, 2025.

The former chief of the Crescent Star Party stated that the repatriation plan for Reynhard stemmed from his family’s request, but the minister can’t confirm whether the request will be granted. The talks to repatriate Reynhard are in early stages, and a study on UK’s applicable laws must be conducted.

The minister also said Reynhard’s repatriation must not lead to new problems, as the convict will have to be relocated to a high-security prison in Nusakambangan.

“This isn’t a breezy task, it’s difficult. [Reynhard] could cause new problems if he’s released like an ordinary inmate,” he said.

Reynhard Sinaga, 41, is a convict in a sexual assault case in the UK. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 40 years, by the Manchester court in January 2020. Reynhard was found guilty of committing 159 sexual assaults against 48 different men.

The Indonesian student spent more than a decade drugging and raping men at his residence in Manchester, disguising himself as someone kind to people who were separated from their friends.

The sexual offender would initiate a conversation and invite the victims to his residence, ultimately drugging them. His victims ranged from 18 to 36 in age, with an average of 21, according to the Manchester Court.

Most of the victims were students, some were still in school, including six former ones who managed to escape his attack, leading to Reynhard's arrest.

His crimes were uncovered in June 2017 after his final victim, an 18-year-old rugby player, woke up while being assaulted and fought back, leading to Reynhard’s hospitalization.

Police initially arrested Reynhard’s victim before finding out 3 terabytes of videos showcasing the sexual assault Reynhard Sinaga committed.

Sita Planasari contributed to the writing of this article.

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