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Fishermen demand release of their friends
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Pari Island fishermen staged a theatrical protest on Tuesday in front of the North Jakarta Prosecutor's Office demanding the temporary release of their three fellow sailors, who have been detained for allegedly carrying out illegal levies against tourists visiting Perawan Beach in Thousand Islands regency. (JP/Fachrul Sidiq)
D
ozens of Pari Island fishermen staged a theatrical protest on Tuesday in front of the North Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to demand the temporary release of their three fellow sailors, who were detained for allegedly committing extortion against tourists visiting Perawan Beach.
The three fishermen, Bahrudin, Mastono and Mustaghfirin were taken into custody on May 15 after the police caught them asking for tickets to enter the beach.
The protesters, however, argued the ticketing mechanism was mutually agreed by the residents and the money earned was aimed at empowering the tourism spot, which has been managed by the locals since 2010.
They also collected 207 copies of ID card from the locals as a guarantee for their release. Prosecutors, however, insisted on detaining the fishermen due to fear they might escape and destroy supporting evidence. The case dossiers had reportedly been submitted to the court.
"If prosecutors can prove they have committed the crime, please proceed with the case, but allow them to go back home while the case continues because they have families to feed," lawyer Matthew Michele Lenggu said.
Wives of the detainees were among the protesters and said their lives had been drastically changed since their husbands were arrested.
Matthew said it was a form of criminalization to intimidate fishermen amid land disputes between them and PT Bumi Pari, who claims ownership of the island.
