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Prosecutors seek death for suspects of fatal arson attack against journalist
Rico, a journalist with the police-owned Tribarata TV, was asleep when the fire broke out in his home on June 27 of last year. The blaze claimed his life, along with the lives of his wife, their 12-year-old son and 3-year-old grandchild.
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This picture shows the burnt house of journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu, who died in a fire with his wife, child and grandchild, in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra, on June 27, 2024. (AFP/Risky Cahyadi)
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rosecutors have called for the death penalty for three people accused of setting fire to the home of journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu last year, which claimed the lives of the 47-year-old and members of his family in North Sumatra.
During a trial at the Kabanjahe District Court in Karo regency on Monday, prosecutor Gus Irwan Marbun said the suspects, Bebas Ginting, Yunus Syahputra Tarigan and Rudi Apri Sembiring, had violated Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder.
"All three suspects had intent and planned to kill the victim before they eventually set his house on fire," Gus said.
The suspects lowered their heads as the prosecutors read their sentence demand. They did not make any statements after hearing their charges but are scheduled to present their closing argument on March 24.
Rico’s daughter, Eva Meliana Pasaribu, who lost all her family members in the house fire, expressed her gratitude that the prosecutors were seeking the death penalty for the suspects.
"I hope the judges will deliver a sentence that reflects the prosecutor’s charges," she said after Monday's trial.
Rico, a journalist with the police-owned Tribrata TV, was fast asleep when a fire broke out in his home on June 27 last year. The blaze tragically claimed his life, along with the lives of his wife, their 12-year-old son and 3-year-old grandchild.
