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TNI probes member’s alleged involvement in arson against North Sumatra journalist
The National Military Police Headquarters (Puspom TNI) is investigating the alleged involvement of an Army member in an arson attack that killed a journalist and his family in Karo regency, North Sumatra, last month.
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The remains of the house of 40-year-old journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu, who died in a fire with his wife, child and grandchild, in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra, on July 4, 2024. Indonesian police said on July 4 that they were investigating the fire that killed Rico and three of his relatives in North Sumatra last week amid suspicion of arson. Pressure has mounted on police to investigate after a local journalist group claimed the incident may have been related to Rico's stories on illegal gambling. (AFP/Risky Cahyadi)
T
he National Military Police Headquarters (Puspom TNI) is investigating the alleged involvement of a member of the Army in an arson attack that killed a journalist and his family in Karo regency, North Sumatra, last month.
On June 27, a fire burned down the house of Rico Sempurna Pasaribu, a 47-year-old journalist for the police-owned Tribata TV, which killed Rico, his wife, their 12-year-old son and 3-year-old grandchild.
Puspom commander Maj. Gen. Yusri Nuryanto said the military police were proceeding with the investigation after receiving a report made by Rico’s daughter, Eva Meliani Pasaribu, who also lost her child in the incident.
Eva reported that the attack against her father was likely linked to his coverage of the alleged involvement of a TNI soldier, identified only as First Cpl. HB, in illegal gambling.
“The investigation is in progress," Yusri told reporters on Tuesday, as quoted by Tempo.co.
Read also: Concerns grow over rising violence against journalists following deadly arson attack
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak said previously that he would not protect a soldier proven to be involved in the case. Meanwhile, he claimed that, so far, there was no indication that his soldier was involved in the fatal arson attack.
Puspom TNI will coordinate with the North Sumatra Police, Bukit Barisan military command (Kodam) and Bukit Barisan Police Military to investigate the case.
North Sumatra Police itself has named three suspects allegedly involved in the arson attack; they are RAS and YST, who reportedly set the fire, and B who gave the order for both of them with a reward of Rp 130,000 (US$8).
An independent fact-finding team formed by journalist associations noted that the events surrounding the incident were suspicious, suggesting that Rico’s death could be related to his reporting of an illegal gambling incident in the regency that reportedly involved military personnel.
Police, however, said the suspects’ actions were taken as individuals rather than as part of a certain group. (jan)
