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Police detain suspect linked to journalist attack
Police have detained a community health center manager suspected in connection with an assault on three journalists in Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, earlier this week
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olice have detained a community health center manager suspected in connection with an assault on three journalists in Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, earlier this week.
Manggarai Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hambali said Thursday his team were taking the case seriously.
"The community health center manager is suspected of being responsible *for the attack*," Hambali said.
Police were questioning three other employees who would also be detained if they were found to have been involved in the attack, he said Thursday.
"Trust that the police will solve this case," Hambali said.
During the incident three journalists were beaten up by employees of Wango community health center who were allegedly infuriated by a report that made local headlines, that says the employees had been failing to attend work, putting people's lives at risk.
The three journalists - TVRI contributor Ferdi Ambo, Suara Flores weekly contributor Melki Pantur and Sukses Indonesia journalist Maksi M.D. - sustained serious facial injuries from the attack and were taken to RSUD Ruteng Hospital.
Center manager Albertus Wili Dugis denied involvement in the attack.
"I never beat up the journalists. There were three journalists who came to see me on Monday, but I didn't know they were journalists because they did not introduce themselves or carry an assignment letter," Albertus said Thursday at Manggarai police detention center.
The three journalists had asked questions in a harsh and unethical manner, he said.
"The way they were asking question was rude and in a high tone. They were asking about our working hours and our employees' performance. Some employees then took them out of the room directly. I didn't know they were being beaten up," Albertus said.
Melki earlier said he and his colleagues had gone to the health center to follow up reports that patients there had been forced to pay illegal fees and that many of the center's employees did not show up for work.
"We came to confirm the information with the center's officials," Melki said.
"The manager became emotional, uttering harsh words. Then other staff rushed in and beat us up. We couldn't fight back, because we were outnumbered."
