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