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View all search resultsRights groups demand fair legal process for activist accused of murder
The case against Misrantoni began in the early hours of Nov. 15, 2024, when an unknown masked assailant attacked a roadside post set up by villagers to block coal trucks from a local mining company.
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Several heavy equipment owned by PT Berau Coal are conducting coal mining activities at the East Kalimantan mine operation Binungan site, Friday (03/04). The increase in world oil prices due to political conflict in Libya caused the coal price index to rise. (JP/Indra Harsaputra)
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ights groups are calling for a transparent investigation into the case of an East Kalimantan activist accused of murder, amid growing concerns over the rampant criminalization of activists across the country.
Misrantoni, 60, a resident of Muara Kate village in Paser regency, was arrested by the local police in July on allegations of a fatal assault. Both he and the victims were part of a grassroots movement opposing a local mining company’s operations, which local residents claim endanger their community.
The Samarinda Legal Aid Institute (LBH Samarinda) and environmental group Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) have raised concerns that the handling of Misrantoni’s case has been hazy and riddled with irregularities.
“From our observations, the legal process appears questionable and lacks transparency. Even now, investigators have yet to determine the main motive behind the assault,” said Windi Pranata, head of advocacy and database at the East Kalimantan branch of Jatam.
Windi also criticized the extension of Misrantoni’s detention before his trial, noting that the police had failed to notify his family in a timely manner during the process.
“Misrantoni has been cooperative and poses no risk of fleeing or tampering with evidence. He has always responded to investigators’ summons, and all evidence has been secured. There is no legal justification to extend his detention,” he added.
Windi said that LBH Samarinda and Jatam had filed a formal objection to the detention extension with the Tanah Grogot District Court, where the case is set to be tried. The groups cited Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees that individuals arrested on criminal charges are entitled to a trial within a reasonable time or to be released.
