North Sumatra Police Arrest 2 Executors Of The Burning Of Journalists' Houses In Karo

North Sumatra Police Chief Komjen Agung Setya Imam Effendi gave a statement in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Monday (8/7/2024). (ANTARA/HO-North Sumatra Police Public Relations Division)

The North Sumatra Regional Police arrested two people with the initials R and Y who were suspected of being the perpetrators of the burning of the Rico Perfect Pasaribu journalist's house on Nambung Surbakti Street, Karo Regency.

"The perpetrator who was arrested acted as the executor," said North Sumatra Police Chief Komjen Agung Setya Imam Effendi as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 8.

The perpetrator committed the crime of burning a journalist's house as recorded by the surveillance camera (CCTV) that caught their movement to the location of the victim's house.

The perpetrators observed and monitored, then carried out the execution by burning houses using a mixture of Pertalite and diesel fuel oil on Thursday (27/6) in the morning.

"The ash points that we checked were in accordance with what the perpetrators said, that he sprayed, poured a mixture of diesel and pertalite into the wall in front and side in the same direction as the victim's room and then burned it," explained Agung.

In this fact, according to Agung, it can be concluded that this action is a crime and the police continue to strengthen the evidence.

"Today we arrested the executor and we continue to work to find out who was involved in this case, of course this process is carried out," said Agung.

The Kapolda said the two perpetrators could be charged with Article 187 of the Criminal Code and investigators continued to strengthen other articles related to the arson.

The North Sumatra Police confiscated evidence in the form of blankets, two bottles of drinks containing remaining fuel, and CCTV that were attached to the perpetrators.

"Regarding the motive, of course we will explore what will be conveyed by the perpetrators. We prove that this fact is still working, this work has not been completed," said the Kapolda.

The house fire resulted in four fatalities, namely Perfect Pasaribu, Effrida Boru Ginting (wife), Sudiinveseti Pasaribu (child), and Lowi Situngkir (grandson).

The house fire that killed Perfect Pasaribu journalist and three members of his family was suspected of being linked to the news of a gambling case. The case raised concerns by a number of parties who urged the authorities to immediately reveal the truth.