Floresa's Editor-in-Chief, Herry Kabut, was arrested by the police while covering a protest by Poco Leok residents against a geothermal project in Satar Mese District, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
The victim was arrested by security forces at around 14:37 at noon and was only released at 18:00 at night.
Residents from 10 traditional villages in the area carried out an action they called "village guard" which took place at the drilling point in Lingko Tanggong, Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.
When he arrived at the location, Herry began photographing the situation at the location, and not a single security officer reprimanded him not to take photos and videos.
After Herry took 10 pictures at the location, a policewoman asked the journalist to get into the car and asked Herry's purpose in taking the pictures.
Herry replied that he was a journalist from Floresa. However, he did not bring a press card, only an assignment letter.
Several police officers then asked the victim to get out of the car. One of them immediately strangled the victim.
Several other officers then led the journalist 50 meters from the car and asked for his press card. The journalist explained that he was the Editor-in-Chief of Floresa.
They started hitting the victim and led him to the side of a TNI car. One officer started choking his neck, which injured the victim's right jaw and nose area.
Another officer punched the victim in the face and head. They also kicked the victim's legs and body.
The victim screamed and the violence caused the journalist's left temple to swell and become bruised. His knee also hurt.
The officers also asked for the victim's ID card but did not give it. They also confiscated the journalist's cellphone and bag containing a laptop and camera. After receiving a series of blows, the police then put the victim in a police car and locked the doors.
For almost four hours the victim faced pressure from the police, starting from arrest, abuse, confiscation of personal belongings to being asked to provide clarification. In the end the victim was released and asked to provide clarification that he was detained because he did not have a press card.