Family Of Journalists In Karo Whose Houses Were Burned By Ngadu To Komnas HAM, Asked TNI Personnel To Be Summoned

The attorney for the Rico Perfect Pasaribu family, Irvan Saputra (right) at the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission Office, Jakarta, Monday (15/7/2024). BETWEEN/Fath Putra Mulya

JAKARTA - Rico Perfect Pasaribu's family, a Tribrata TV journalist who died on Karo, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), complained to the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).

Rico's family was accompanied by his attorney Irvan Saputra from the Medan Legal Aid Institute (LBH). To the media, Irvan said that his party asked Komnas HAM to step down directly in the case.

"We ask for it and ask Komnas HAM to step down directly in this case and ask Komnas HAM to summon related parties, such as the Kapolda, Police Chief, and Denpom or Pangdam with this issue," said Irvan at the Komnas HAM Office, Jakarta, Monday, July 15, confiscated by Antara.

Irvan explained that Komnas HAM immediately conducted an examination of their complaints because they had coordinated previously with the commissioner.

"For earlier, the examination was immediately carried out because we have coordinated with the commissioner. So, this is a fast process, a quick response by Komnas HAM, direct examination," he said.

According to Irvan, until now there has been no clarity regarding the case. Therefore, the family encourages Komnas HAM to be involved in conducting an investigation.

Furthermore, he said that his party asked Komnas HAM to summon TNI personnel who were suspected of burning the house of Rico Perfect Pasaribu.

"We are not hoping, but asking firmly, then Koptu HB must be summoned," he said.

The family hopes that Komnas HAM can reveal the main mastermind of the case. "We believe that after the Komnas HAM examination, we will be able to reveal it," said Irvan.

Previously, the North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda) had named three suspects suspected of being involved in the burning of the Rico Perfect Pasaribu journalist's house on Nagung Surbakti Street, Karo Regency.

The three suspects arrested were initial B on Thursday (11/7), RAS on Saturday (6/7), and YT on Sunday (7/7).

Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Police, Kombes Pol Hadi Wahyudi in Medan, Thursday (11/7), said that suspect B ordered two other suspects to burn the house of the victim Rico Perfect Pasaribu.

"Suspect B ordered YT to burn, and gave Rp130 thousand to RAS to buy Pertalite oil and diesel used to burn the victim's house," said Hadi.

Then, RAS prepared by motorbike. After the fire started, the two perpetrators fled and threw away a bottle of used fuel oil (BBM) about 30 meters from the scene.

"This arson was recorded very clearly from the analysis of surveillance cameras or CCTV around the victim's house. Perfect Pasaribu," said Hadi.