Six Sorong Marines came to the Tribun Sorong editorial office in Sorong City, West Papua, on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
They forced the editorial team to delete the news titled "6 TNI AL Members Allegedly Beat Up Civilians in Sorong City, Victim's Eyes Bleed".
The news was published on the media's website on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 16:15 WITA.
The report wrote about a Sorong resident named Mustaqim, who was on a weekend vacation around Suprau Beach on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
However, that day Mustaqim was interrogated and tortured and threatened to be drowned at sea by several members of the Indonesian Navy Marines.
Mustaqim was finally rescued by members of the Mobile Brigade in the area.
The victim's attorney explained that the torture left Mustaqim's face and body covered in bruises, and the victim's eyes hurt. The violence was reported to the Navy Military Police (PM AL) and requested that the perpetrators be prosecuted.
The Tribun Sorong editorial team received the marine troops and confirmed that they could only make a right of reply, and would not publish news about the assault on the residents.
Safwan, the journalist who wrote the news, then explained that the data was obtained from the victim's lawyer accompanied by photo evidence. The journalist had also confirmed with the deputy commander of the marine troops at the XIV Sorong TNI Navy main base, Major Anton S, who confirmed the assault. Finally, the Sorong marine troops were willing to make a right of reply.