CPJ calls for investigation into death of Indonesian journalist in house fire – JURIST

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday called for an independent investigation into the house fire that killed journalist Sempurna Pasaribu and three members of his family last month.

The organization stressed that accountability must be taken for the incident. Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior representative for Southeast Asia, said:

Indonesian authorities must spare no effort in investigating the suspicious death of Tribrata TV journalist Sempurna Pasaribu. If senior military officials were involved in his death in retaliation for his investigative reporting, they must be brought to justice and prosecuted.

The fire, which broke out at 3 a.m. in Kabanjahe district, killed Pasaribu, his wife Efprida boru Ginting, their son Sudiinveseti and their grandson Louin Arlando Situngkir. Eva Meliani, the eldest daughter of the deceased, confirmed the tragic loss of her family members on June 29.

Sempurna Pasaribu was a journalist with Tribrata TV and had recently reported on the alleged involvement of high-ranking military officers in illegal gambling activities in the region. He exposed these activities and named the people involved. He published personal posts on the subject on his Facebook page. As a result of these reports, Pasaribu received threats and pressure from the parties involved to retract his stories.

His colleagues said he was anxious and largely avoided going home out of fear for his safety and that of his family. A witness also reported seeing five men near Pasaribu’s house at around 2:30 a.m. on the day of the fire, half an hour before the fire started.

Eva, Pasaribu’s daughter and head of Tribrata’s television office, said she felt threatened by Karo during her questioning at the police station. She claimed that investigators forced her to confirm information she had never given.

Adjunct Senior Commissioner Oloan Siahaan, acting head of Tanah Karo Police, reported that police have taken statements from 11 witnesses, including family members and first responders. Crime scene examinations and forensic analysis are currently being carried out as part of the investigation. The head of the Indonesian Armed Forces Information Centre has stated that military involvement in the incident cannot be confirmed until further information is available.