Police free one of two detained activists
Police free one of two detained activists
JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta police precinct on Saturday released a Pijar Foundation activist after detaining him for nearly 24 hours on charges of publicly defaming the government.
Syahrul, who was detained after the police broke into the non- governmental organization's headquarters for a second time on Friday, was interrogated on the foundation's activities and its periodical, Kabar dari Pijar (News from Pijar), which is critical of the government.
About a dozen police officers raided Pijar's office on Thursday night and arrested the periodical's editor, Tri Agus Siswomihardjo.
Pijar activists said that the police also seized documents, diskettes, books, posters and telephone and address books belonging to the foundation.
On Friday the police returned to arrest Syahrul, the foundation's administrative coordinator.
Secretary of Pijar's Presidium Council Bonar Tigor Naipospos said in a statement made available to the Post yesterday that precinct Chief Maj. Charles Marpaung released Syahrul but added that he may be arrested again for questioning if necessary.
Bonar said that Tri Agus is still in police custody and will be questioned about the organization's bulletin, which is accused of being in violation of the Criminal Code's Article 154, which addresses defamation of the government in public.
"If it is true that the raids and arrests were related to our bulletin, it shows once again the absence of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in Indonesia. In a democratic society, it is every individual's right to obtain, read and spread critical information on social development," Bonar said.
He said that the periodical was a form of "alternative press" to balance the censorship by the government practiced through its licensed mass media.
Bonar said the raids and arrests, which coincide with President Soeharto's participation in the Copenhagen Social Development Summit, could be detrimental to Indonesia's image abroad.(pwn)