Jakarta. The Indonesian Navy stated it will not respond to a request by former Marine Satria Arta Kumbara, who reportedly joined Russian volunteer forces, to regain his Indonesian citizenship.

Navy spokesman Commodore I Made Wira Hadi said Second Sergeant Satria had been dishonorably discharged in April 2023 after a military tribunal convicted him in absentia of desertion. He was also sentenced to one year in prison.

“Satria is no longer affiliated with the Indonesian Navy,” Wira Hadi said on Monday.

Satria became a viral sensation in Indonesia after videos and photos circulated online, purportedly showing him in Russian military gear. The Navy later confirmed his identity, stating that his discharge in April 2023 came nearly a year after he went AWOL (absent without leave) in June 2022.

The Navy’s position is based on a ruling by Jakarta Military Court II-08, which found Satria guilty of desertion during peacetime. The ruling, which gained permanent legal force on April 17, 2023, is final and binding, the Navy said, adding that Satria cannot be reinstated as a serviceman under any circumstances.

The statement comes after a video emerged online showing Satria expressing his wish to regain Indonesian citizenship. In the recording, he claimed he was unaware that signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense could result in the loss of his Indonesian citizenship.

“I did not know that signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense would make me lose my Indonesian citizenship,” Satria said in the video.

He also appealed directly to Foreign Minister Sugiono, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and President Prabowo Subianto to allow him to return, saying the loss of his citizenship was not worth what he gained from joining Russian forces.

“Only President Prabowo can end my contract now,” Satria said, adding, “I never wanted to lose my citizenship because it means everything to me.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rolliansyah “Roy” Soemirat said the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow has been monitoring Satria’s situation and remains in communication with him.

“The matter of his citizenship status falls under the authority of the Ministry of Law,” Roy said.

Law and Human Rights Minister Supratman Andi Agtas confirmed in May that the former marine has lost his Indonesian citizenship after joining the Russian military without presidential approval.

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