Indonesian Police Name 2 Suspects In Tribrata Tv Journalist's Killing

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, July 8 (Bernama) -- Indonesian police have arrested two suspects in connection with the deadly arson attack on the home of Tribrata TV journalist Rico Sempurna Pasaribu.

North Sumatra’s police chief Commissioner-General Agung Setya Imam Effendi said the duo – one known as RAS, 37, acted as the motorcycle driver, while the other, YT, also known as Selawang, 36, poured fuel and diesel onto the victim’s house.

“Despite the challenges posed by cloudy weather, modern scientific crime investigation techniques have enabled us to swiftly resolve the case,” he said at a joint press conference held with Military Regional Command commander, Major-General M. Hasan, on Monday.

Agung Setya said YT purchased the fuel and diesel, mixed them in a jerrycan and poured the mixture into two empty bottles. Both suspects wore coverings and blankets to conceal their identities during the crime. 

After committing the arson, both suspects fled to Merek, about 100 kilometres from Karo.

Rico, 47, perished in the fire that engulfed his home in Kabanjahe, Karo district, North Sumatra, on June 27.

The fire also claimed the lives of his wife, son and grandchild, with suspicions suggesting a connection to his investigative reporting on online gambling networks.

In response to the incident, the Press Council on July 2 had urged National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to form an impartial team to thoroughly investigate the case.

-- BERNAMA