Threatening Through Negative Writing, 2 Journalists Who Extorted The Village Head In Batang, Central Java, Were Arrested By The Police

Batang Resort Police, Central Java, revealed a criminal case of extortion against a number of village heads carried out by two journalists.

Batang Police Chief AKBP Nur Cahyo Ari Prasetyo said that the disclosure of the case began with reports from several village heads who felt pressured and blackmailed by two journalists named Zaenal Abidin and Nur Wantoro.

"The mode used by these journalists is by visiting the village government office and meeting with the village head by asking for money. If the request of the journalists is not fulfilled, they threaten to publish negative news related to development in their village," he said in Batang, Antara, Sunday, December 22.

However, because journalists continued to be pressured, he said, the village heads who were members of the Batang Regency Village Head Association reported to the Resort Police.

The Batang Police, then issued a report with the number LP/B/107/XI/2024/SPK/Polres Batang/Polda Central Java to uncover the case.

He, who was accompanied by the Head of the Detective and Criminal Unit AKP Imam Muhtadi, said two journalists were carrying out crimes by visiting the village hall office which was carrying out the construction.

"They offered cooperation at an annual cost of Rp. 1.5 million to Rp. 3 million. In addition, they also forced the village government to buy fire extinguishers at a price of Rp. 2.5 million per unit but if the request was rejected, they threatened to write negative news," he said.

The crimes committed by the two journalists have been taking place from early 2023 to 15 November 2024.

The perpetrators operate in several villages such as Bawang and Reban sub-districts by reaping the proceeds of crimes of around Rp. 58.9 million.

Berikut adalah beberapa korban dan jumlah kerugian, seperti Kepala Desa Soka Rp2,5 juta, Kepala Desa Pranten Rp2,5 juta, Kepala Desa Candirejo Rp6 juta, Kepala Desa Sojomerto Rp11,6 juta, dan Kepala Desa Polodoro Rp10 juta.

The police also managed to secure a number of evidences that strengthened the case, such as ID cards and media assignment letters on behalf of the suspect, namely the Media Journal Police and Media Criminal Investigation magazine, stamps, receipts, Honda PCX motorcycles, cell phones, and a certain amount of crime money.

"This evidence clearly shows how the perpetrators used the media identity to carry out their actions. We appreciate the courage of the village heads who reported this case so that it could be revealed," he said.