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Court Freed Three Journalist Murderers

District Court of Tual, Maluku, Indonesia today freed three journalist murderers defendants. The defendants are Hasan Tamange, Ibrahim Raharusun, and Sahar Renuat, villagers who were known to have killed Ridwan Salamun, contributor of Sun TV when covering a clash between communities of villages at Maluku, eastern province of Indonesia on August 21, 2010.

Public attorney of Tual District formerly have indicted the defendants of “committing murder” but then change the indictment to committing “persecution” against Ridwan Salamun and demanded 8 MONTHS jail punishment for the defendants. But as the attorney “could not prove that the defendants has committed the persecution, then the judges freed them.

According to Indonesia’s criminal justice system, there is no more possible legal effort that possible to be attempted for case where defendants are freed, the case is then closed.

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) expresses its dissatisfaction of the court’s decision. This is an evidence of impunity culture granted by state to journalist’s murderers. According to AJI’s report, all journalists murderers in this country are not punished except the killers of Anak Agung Gede Narendra Prabangsa in Bali on 2009. 

“Impunity for journalists murderer is an indication that the state does not have a will to protect journalists” says Nezar Patria, president of AJI.

AJI will soon make an examination of the court's decision. If AJI will finds some evidence that the judge have made wrong decision, AJI will submit a complaint to Judiciary Commission. And AJI will also submit a complain to Public Attorney Commission for wrong indictment made by public attorney of this case.
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