Nurfika Osman
JAYAPURA: The Papua chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists has expressed frustration with the sluggish pace of police investigations into the stabbing of local journalist Banjir Ambarita.
"The investigation is taking too long, that is why we are monitoring the case closely," said Viktor Mambor, chairman of the Papuan branch of the alliance, also known as the AJI. "We are going to do something to pressure the police, like hold a protest rally."
"The new [Papua] police chief was once in Densus [the National Police's counterterrorism unit], investigating a case like this should be easier than capturing terrorists," he said.
Ambarita, a freelance reporter and contributor to the Jakarta Globe, was attacked in Jayapura by two men on a motorcycle as he was riding his own motorcycle home shortly after midnight on March 3.
The Jayapura Police's detective unit questioned Banjir on Friday, more than three weeks after the stabbing. "Because Banjir Ambarita's condition has improved, we formally asked him for information in relation to the stabbing," said First Adj. Insp. Widodo, an officer in the unit. "A total of 37 questions were posed and were answered well.
"We have already questioned five witnesses, but we have yet to find a lead," he added.
Mambor said the AJI appreciated the police's efforts but said: "Even though they are working quite well in carrying out their job, this does not guarantee that they are taking the case seriously."
Poengky Indarty, director of external relations at rights group Imparsial, said that as a defender of human rights in Papua, it was vital that Banjir be protected.
"Until today, the perpetrators responsible for the violence have not been identified," she said. "We urge the Papuan police to make every effort to catch the offenders and legally process them."
She said Banjir had provided police with information to make a sketch of his attackers.
"We want them to investigate based on this sketch and look into police officers who may be involved in the case," she said. - The Jakarta Globe/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
