Indonesia plans to appeal a French court ruling that allowed the seizure of its diplomatic assets related to a case against Navayo International AG. The government disputes the ruling and claims procedural violations. Indonesia intends to hire a French lawyer for the appeal while seeking to charge Navayo with fraud.
Indonesia is set to appeal a French court decision related to the seizure of its diplomatic assets. The case involves Navayo International AG, a technology company from Liechtenstein, which filed a lawsuit against Indonesia’s Defense Ministry over unpaid bills from a stalled satellite project initiated in 2016. A Singapore arbitration court ruled in favor of Navayo, demanding the Indonesian government to pay approximately $24.1 million by November 22, 2024, with further daily increases until satisfied.
The Indonesian government has postponed payment, suspecting fraud in Navayo’s work. In response, the company sought a French court’s approval to seize apartments in Paris rented by Indonesian diplomats, which was granted. Senior legal affairs minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra attempted to persuade French authorities to revoke this seizure during a visit to Paris, stating that the court’s decision was unjust since Indonesia did not have an opportunity to present its defense, thus violating standard international practices.
Minister Yusril expressed disappointment, emphasizing that diplomatic assets should not be subject to seizure under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. “If the French court grants the request, this could be a bad precedent for the rest of the world,” he asserted, highlighting the potential implications of allowing the seizure of diplomatic property based on local court decisions.
In preparation for the appeal, scheduled for May, Indonesia has engaged a seasoned French attorney to represent its interests. Concurrently, Indonesia is pursuing legal action against Navayo for fraud, as audits revealed that Navayo performed less than $115,000 worth of work against a claim of $16 million, prompting Indonesia to consider requesting an Interpol red notice for the company.
Indonesia’s impending appeal against the French court’s decision to seize its diplomatic assets reflects deep concerns over the implications for international law and diplomatic immunity. The case emphasizes the importance of following proper procedural channels in international disputes. The Indonesian government is proactively addressing this issue while also pursuing legal action against Navayo for suspected fraud.
Original Source: jakartaglobe.id
