Journalist in North Maluku, Sukandi Ali, was assaulted by 3 members of the Indonesian Navy (AL) at the Panamboang Indonesian Navy post, South Bacan sub-district, South Halmahera, on Thursday, March 28 2024.
The incident began when the victim was picked up by two unexpected perpetrators at his house. The perpetrator was accompanied by the Babinsa of Babang village to the victim's house.
Sukandi was then taken by car to the TNI AL Post. The victim was then interrogated regarding the news he had made. The news was entitled "Tens of Thousands of KL BBM Allegedly Belonging to Ditpolairud North Sumatra Police Detained by Navy in Halsel, Head of KSOP I Ternate Allegedly Involved". The report was published in the media Sidikkas.co.id on March 26 2024.
During interrogation, Sukandi was beaten with his hands, also hit with Lars' shoes and whipped with a hose. The abuse resulted in cuts and wounds all over the victim's body, head, hands and shoulders. Some of the victim's teeth were even broken as a result of the torture.
The victim was also held at gunpoint using a gun, after previously being intimidated by shooting a warning shot upwards using one of the perpetrator's guns.
The perpetrator threatened the victim, "If it's just confirmation, don't publish the news, unless you initially ask for an interview, then you can publish the news," said the perpetrator.
The victim was reported to have made the news without any prior confirmation or clarification to the Indonesian Navy. Even though the victim admitted that he had confirmed and had an audio recording of an interview with one of the three Indonesian Navy perpetrators.
Apart from being abused, the victim was also asked to make a written statement containing two points. First, the victim must not repeat the same act, nor must he cross the coast from Labuha to Kupal. The second point, the victim must stop being a journalist and not make news reports anymore.
AJI and several institutions and press organizations condemn this act of violence against journalists. The victim has also reported this intimidation to the police in the area.