Perpetrators of Deer Hunting in Komodo National Park Arrested, Threatened with 15 Years in Prison

The suspect in the illegal hunting of protected animals, deer in Komodo National Park (TNK), was arrested in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). (ANTARA/Gecio Viana)

JAKARTA - Head of the Law Enforcement Center (Gakkum) for the Java Bali and Nusa Tenggara Regions of the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) Aswin Bangun stated that three perpetrators of illegal hunting of protected animals of the deer type in the Komodo National Park (TNK), Labuan Bajo were threatened with a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

"The perpetrators are suspected of violating Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of category VII of Rp. 5 billion," he said in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Friday, December 19, reported by ANTARA.

The suspects in the case, with initials AB, AD, and Y, were arrested while hunting deer on Sunday (14/12).

Regarding the alleged crime of possession of firearms, the perpetrators are also suspected of violating the Emergency Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 12 of 1951, with a criminal threat in the form of the death penalty or life imprisonment or imprisonment for a maximum of twenty years.

"Regarding the bullet, we are still in the process of deepening together with our police colleagues," he said.

The perpetrators were secured in a joint operation consisting of the Bali Nusa Tenggara (JBN) Gakkumhut Office, the TNK Office, the Korpolairud Baharkam Polri, the Ditpolairud Polda NTT, and the West Manggarai Police.

"Then regarding this group of hunters, they have often been active so we are making the last effort with the steps of law enforcement," he said.

During the arrest of the perpetrators, there was a shootout because the perpetrators used homemade firearms.

"Three were caught and the others fled, according to the confessions of the perpetrators, who we secured, they numbered eight people," he said.

Evidence that was also secured by the joint officers included 10 bullet casings, eight active bullets with a caliber of 5.56 mm, one deer, and one fully assembled firearm with a magazine still attached.

Other evidence in the form of knives, headlamps, smartphones, and wooden boats was also secured for further investigation.

"According to them, they only got three deer, so fortunately one deer is still tucked away on the ship," he said.