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AJI condemns police violence against journalists during fuel protests
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia has condemned violence allegedly committed by police against journalists during demonstrations over fuel price hikes
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he Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia has condemned violence allegedly committed by police against journalists during demonstrations over fuel price hikes.
The AJI said on Monday that two journalists in Jambi and Ternate in North Maluku suffered brutal treatment when they were covering the fuel protests.
Roby Kelerey, a photojournalist from Mata Publik daily newspaper in Ternate, was allegedly hit on his leg by a police rubber bullet while he was covering a student demonstration against the fuel price hikes. Six students were also shot during the incident.
Antonius Nugroho Kusumawan, a video journalist from Trans7 in Jambi, suffered head wounds from fragments of teargas canisters thrown by police to disperse student demonstrators.
AJI Indonesia's coordinator of advocacy division, Aryo Wisanggeni, said the association condemned police brutality directed at journalists during the fuel protests.
'The journalists were in the locations due to their journalistic activities; and, the activities are protected by the Press Law. We, the AJI Indonesia, condemn the incidents,' said Aryo in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Aryo said the violence against journalists had been repeated because the state via its law enforcers continued to enjoy impunity from the law. Such impunity should be ended, he added.
"We urge law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the incidents,' said Aryo.
Anton is still undergoing medical treatment at Raden Mattaher General Hospital in Jambi City while Roby is being treated at Chasan Boesoerie Regional Hospital in Ternate.
According to AJI data, at least 25 cases of violence against journalists occurred during the period of January to May. (ebf)
