Bangkok, January 24, 2023 – Indonesian authorities must thoroughly and swiftly investigate the recent attack on Papuan journalist Victor Mambor’s home and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday.
At about 4 a.m. Monday, an improvised explosive device detonated outside of Mambor’s house in Jayapura, a city in the province of Papua, according to press reports, a statement by the AJI Indonesia press freedom group, and Mambor, who communicated with CPJ via email.
Mambor, editor and co-founder of the local independent news website Jubi.id and a regular contributor to the Radio Free Asia-affiliated outlet BenarNews, was still awake when the bomb detonated, he told CPJ, saying that no one was injured in the blast and his home was not damaged.
“Indonesian authorities must identify and apprehend all those behind the recent attack on journalist Victor Mambor,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “Mambor and his news outlet must be free to report without fear of reprisal, and those responsible for bombing his home must be brought to justice.”
Police spokesperson Ignatius Ady Prabowo said police were investigating and had examined the crime scene, according to reports.
CCTV camera footage showed a Honda motorcycle passing by Mambor’s house moments before the blast, according to the journalist and those news reports.
Mambor told CPJ that he has faced persistent harassment over Jubi.id’s reporting on human rights issues associated with the long-running conflict between Indonesian security forces and the secessionist West Papua National Liberation Army.
Mambor said he frequently receives threats and hate speech on his social media accounts, and his Twitter account was hacked and deleted last year after he posted a video showing Indonesian security forces allegedly abusing a disabled civilian.
He told CPJ that unknown assailants vandalized his car in the middle of the night of April 21, 2021, saying he believed the vandalism was motivated by his journalism. No suspects were ever identified or charged for that attack, Mambor said.
CPJ emailed the West Papua police for comment but did not immediately receive any reply.
Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura City Police are investigating the explosion on Monday morning, January 23, 2023 at the Bak Air Complex, Jl. Pasir 6, Angkasapura Village, Jayapura City, about five meters next to the house of Papua’s senior journalist Victor Mambor.
“We are currently investigating the crime scene. Hopefully, the results can be obtained soon,” said Jayapura City Police chief Sr. Come. Victor Dean Mackbon in Jayapura City.
He emphasized that this was an act of terror as it used explosives. “Officers have secured the remains of the explosion residue. It will be taken to the Papua Police Forensic Laboratory to find out the shape and content of the explosives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mambor said the incident occurred at around 04.00 a.m. Papua time.
“I happened to be watching TV at the time. The sound was so loud that my house also shook as if there was an earthquake,” said Mambor.
He admitted that after hearing the sound he did not immediately leave the house to check. However, neighbors saw thick smoke and flames from the scene.
“There were neighbors from the top of the Capela Pilamo worship building who came because they thought there was a fire as there was thick smoke. Two minutes later, I came out of the house and smelled a very strong sulfur odor,” he said.
According to Mambor, the explosion damaged the road asphalt about 2 centimeters deep.
“Indeed, before the sound of the explosion, I heard the sound of a motorcycle from the road towards Pasir 6. Not long after, I heard the sound of a motorcycle right next to the house towards the big road, and one minute later there was a big explosion,” he explained.
With this incident, Mambor hoped that the police could immediately reveal the motive and perpetrators of terror.
“I hope this can be revealed soon because this is the second time I have experienced terror like this. Last year my car was vandalized by people. Until now it is not clear who the perpetrators are,” said Mambor.(*)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.