Police 'abduct' seven fishermen

Police 'abduct' seven fishermen

BONTANG, East Kalimantan: The local police were accused on
Thursday of kidnapping seven fishermen and illegally detaining
them over their protest against a pipe installation project in
the city.

The protesting fishermen oppose the project being carried out
by oil company Total Final Elf because it has drastically reduced
the size of their catch.

They mobilized other fishermen in Kutai Kertanegara regency
for a peaceful protest against the company on Jan. 4. Total later
reported the demonstration to the Bontang police, charging the
protesters with attempting to disrupt the project.

Methodius Nyope, a human rights lawyer, said the police
kidnapped seven of the fishermen and put them in custody after
forcing them to sign dossiers.

The police charged the illegal detainees with intimidation and
blackmailing, he added. --Antara