Accused people smuggler 'pitied' AfghansAdam Gartrell
July 1, 2009 - 11:29AM
An alleged people smuggling kingpin in prison in Indonesia says he tried to help asylum seekers reach Australia because he felt sorry for them.

In an exclusive interview with AAP, Ali Cobra has sought to downplay his role in Indonesia's people smuggling racket, even though authorities believe he is one of country's "big fish".

Cobra, also known as Labasa Ali, Ali Basa and Sultan Ali, claims he has only been involved in two people smuggling operations.

He says he took part in them because he wanted to help mostly Afghan asylum seekers find a better life.

"I was moved to help them," he said from his prison cell in Kupang, West Timor.

"They said once they left their country, they could not go back.

"If they went back, they could have been killed.

"I pitied them. Their stories made me sad."

But Cobra, 30, also admits to profiting from people smuggling.

Cobra was seized in May in a joint operation between Indonesian and Australian police.

He was found in a house in the Indonesian port city of Makassar with 10 Afghan asylum seekers he admits he was trying to help smuggle to Australia.

At the time, Immigration Minister Chris Evans labelled Cobra a "serious and major player" in people smuggling.

But Cobra, who describes himself as a humble "man of the sea" from Sulawesi, says his only involvement with people smuggling has been sourcing boats for asylum seekers to use.

Other people smugglers promised him 50 million rupiah - about $A6,000 - to find a boat for the Afghans in Makassar, he said.

Authorities also believe Cobra helped organise a brazen breakout from an immigration detention centre in West Timor in January, then put 18 escaped asylum seekers on a fishing boat bound for Australia.

But at least nine people - including a nine-year-old boy - drowned when the boat capsized in rough seas just hours later.

Again, Cobra claims he was only responsible for buying the boat, and played no part in the breakout.

"They said they had someone who could get them out of immigration detention," he said.

"I said, 'if all I have to do is find them a boat, I can help'."

Reports have linked Cobra to some of Indonesia's most wanted people smugglers. Police believe he is also connected to smugglers based in Afghanistan, one of the major source countries for asylum seekers.

But Cobra, who refused to name names, said he knows only "three other people" involved in people smuggling.

"Maybe there are others, but I don't know about them. I've only heard of them," he said.

Prosecutors are completing an indictment for Cobra, and he is expected to face court in the coming weeks.

Although people smuggling is not a crime in Indonesia, it is understood Cobra could face up to 12 years' jail if he is convicted over his involvement in January's fatal voyage.

Cobra has not hired a lawyer to represent him, saying it would cost too much.

"I leave it in the hands of the almighty," he said.

Cobra said Afghans choose to seek asylum in Australia because they believe it will afford them the best protection.

"When I was talking with them, I asked why they chose Australia and they said 'Because it's safe there'," he said.

"They just want to be safe."

© 2009 AAP