Victims Died At The Joget Party In Tual City, 3 Main Perpetrators Arrested By Police

Press conference on the determination of additional suspects in child murder cases, in Tual City, Maluku. (ANTARA/Winda Herman)

MALUKU - Tual Police, Maluku, named three new suspects with the initials AFK, MR, and FO in the case of the murder of a child with the initials KSR that occurred at Masrum Market, Tual City, on August 24, 2025.

"The three of them are suspected of helping the main perpetrator WR escape after the incident that shocked residents," said Tual Police Chief AKBP Adrian S. Y Tuuk in Ambon, Antara, Friday, September 26.

According to Adrian, the roles of the suspects vary, ranging from helping escape, hiding evidence in the form of knives, to facilitating hiding in Letman Village.

Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tual Police, Iptu Aji Prakoso Trisaputra, explained that one of the three new suspects, namely AFK, was still a minor, while MR and FO were adults.

"The suspects are subject to multiple articles, including Article 340 of the Criminal Code concerning Premeditated Murder with the threat of the death penalty or life imprisonment," he said.

In addition, the police also charged the suspects with Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection considering that the victim was still a minor. Based on these rules, perpetrators of crimes against children can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison or more if they are proven to have committed serious violence.

Until now, the police are still hunting for another suspect with the initials MO who has been on the wanted list (DPO).

Police Chief Adrian emphasized his commitment to maintaining security in Tual City.

"Our law enforcement is carried out with the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice without intervention from any party," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Tual Amir Rumra assessed that this case was an important warning for local governments to suppress potential disturbances in security and social order. He highlighted party activities that often trigger horizontal conflicts.

"If a party becomes the main trigger for criminal acts, then strict regulations are needed in the form of a regional regulation or even a regional regulation to regulate this," he said.

Previously, a man with the initials WR (21) stabbed a teenager with the initials KSR (15) to death when a commotion broke out during a dance party in Tual City. The perpetrator did not accept the victim touching his colleague. The incident occurred in the Tual Market area on Sunday, August 24 at around 02.30 WIT.

After being arrested, investigators examined the perpetrator and 13 witnesses. From the examination, investigators found two pieces of evidence to determine the perpetrator as a suspect. For his actions, the suspect was charged with Article 338 in conjunction with Article 351 in conjunction with Article 76C in conjunction with Article 80 of Law No. 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection.