Indonesia renews call for UN investigation following death of Corporal Rico

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has renewed its call for the UN to conduct a comprehensive investigation following the death of Corporal (Praka) Rico Pramudia, a member of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping contingent, who was receiving intensive care after an incident at the end of March 2026.

In a statement from the Indonesian Government Communication Agency (Bakom) received in Jakarta on Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela said the government extends its highest respects to Corporal Rico and is coordinating with UNIFIL to ensure the prompt and dignified repatriation of his remains.

“Various medical measures were attempted, but due to the severity of his injuries, the deceased could not be saved,” Nabyl explained.

On the same occasion, Nabyl stated that Indonesia strongly condemns the Israeli attack that led to the death of the Indonesian peacekeeper.

The government stresses that the safety and security of UN peacekeeping personnel is non-negotiable. Therefore, attacks on such personnel constitute a serious violation of international law and can be categorised as war crimes.

“Indonesia urges the UN to conduct a thorough, transparent, and accountable investigation to uncover the facts and ensure accountability for this incident,” Nabyl said.

With Corporal Rico’s death, Indonesia has now lost four TNI soldiers serving with UNIFIL in the past month.

Previously, Corporal Farizal Rhomadhond was declared killed in an artillery attack on 29 March 2026, the same incident that injured Corporal Rico and required intensive treatment.

Then, on 30 March, two TNI personnel, Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ikhwan, were declared killed when the convoy they were escorting came under attack.

In the attacks on 29-30 March and 3 April, in addition to Corporal Rico, seven other TNI soldiers were injured.

Not only Indonesia, but the escalation of tensions in Lebanon has also led to France losing two of its soldiers serving with UNIFIL in an attack on 18 April.