Three detained in Ambon over journalist’s murder

Three villagers were detained by police Monday but none were named suspect in the bashing death of SUN TV journalist Ridwan Salamun.

Ridwan was killed Saturday while covering an inter-village clash between Banda Ely and Fiditan villages in Tual municipality, Maluku.

Maluku Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Johanis Huwae said three villagers from Fiditan were taken into custody by Southeast Maluku police for questioning.

“It’s likely they will be named as suspects, but as of right now, they have not been named as such,” he told The Jakarta Post by phone on Monday

He said the provincial police are taking the case seriously and have deployed a team to assist Southeast Maluku Police in the investigation.

Huwae said they had questioned witnesses from both villages.

“We have questioned seven witnesses, including the three villagers detained [Monday].”