(RSF/IFEX) – In a 9 August 1999 letter to Indonesian Interior Minister General Syarwan Hamid, RSF said it was concerned about the murder of Supriadi, a journalist with the “Medan Pos” newspaper (based in North Sumatra province), in Aceh last week. RSF wrote that “as the murder of a journalist is the strongest violation of […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 9 August 1999 letter to Indonesian Interior Minister
General Syarwan Hamid, RSF said it was concerned about the murder of
Supriadi, a journalist with the “Medan Pos” newspaper (based in North
Sumatra province), in Aceh last week. RSF wrote that “as the murder of a
journalist is the strongest violation of press freedom, we urge you to
launch a thorough investigation to find out whether Supriadi was killed
because of his work.” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard also asked that
the organisation be informed of the result of the investigation.
Supriadi, 34, was found hacked to death on 5 August in Buki Hagu village (in
the North Aceh district). He had several head injuries. His wife said that
he had been abducted from their house late Tuesday 3 August by two
unidentified men. According to “Medan Pos”‘ chief editor, Supriadi had been
working on stories about corruption in an agricultural project for small
farmers, as well as education and development in the region. According to
human rights activists, 223 people have been killed in Aceh since May.
