Journalists In Southeast Maluku Persecuted For Reporting Officials Involved In Rape, Perpetrators Have Been Arrested By Police

Head of Public Relations of the Maluku Police, Kombes Roem Ohoirat (DOK ANTARA)

The Southeast Maluku Regency Police (Mallra) of Maluku Province finally detained and named DR, the perpetrator of the persecution of a television journalist in the area as a suspect. "For the perpetrators of the persecution of journalists in Malra, the suspect has been named and has now been detained at the Malra Police Detention Center," said Head of Public Relations of the Maluku Police, Kombes Roem Ohoirat in Ambon, as reported by Antara, Monday, October 9. The victim is known as Yoseph Lesibun, a local television journalist in Southeast Maluku, Maluku. He was abused at his home, Langgur, Kei Kecil District, Monday, September 25 evening. The victim suspected that the abuse was related to the news of the alleged rape case committed by one of the officials in Southeast Maluku. The Maluku Police Chief also appreciated the firm steps taken by the Malra Police and reminded them to go through a correct and regulatory legal process. "This is not because of anyone's insistence, but based on the fulfillment of applicable legal evidence," he said. Since the beginning, the Malra Police have been committed to carrying out legal proceedings against every perpetrator of the crime in accordance with applicable regulations. "Anyone who commits a crime will definitely be processed according to the applicable law while respecting the principle that everything is the same before the law," he asserted. Initially, the case of violence against journalists at Malra was about to enter the restorative justice route. Because there was no agreement, it finally continued to the law enforcement process. "The explanation of the settlement outside the trial (restorative justice) is something that is justified and in accordance with the investigation SOP, but the steps taken by the police are then misinterpreted," he explained.