Jakarta – Chairman of the Palu chapter of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), M. Iqbal, reported on Sunday several police officers to the Central Sulawesi Police's Internal Affairs Division (Propam) over allegations of mistreatment.
Iqbal said in his report that he had been tortured by the East Palu Police's community management division head, Second Insp. Pirade, and several other members of the police.
"I filed a police report that was received by Chief Brig. Rudy Labato on Sunday," said Iqbal as quoted by Antara in Palu.
Iqbal was heading home on his motorcycle from the editorial office of Radar TV on Jl. Yos Sudarso at around 9 p.m. local time on Saturday when he claimed to have been stopped by several police officers on Jl. Jabal Nur and asked him to show his driver's license. Iqbal reportedly told the police that he was not carrying his vehicle registration document (STNK).
Iqbal said his motorcycle was seized and he was taken to the East Palu Police station. He then phoned his colleague, who he asked to pick him up at the police station so that he could get his STNK at home. While waiting for his friend, Iqbal claims to have been mistreated.
"Just go ahead if you want to report us to high-ranking officials," said Iqbal, while recounting a statement allegedly made by a police officer he identified as Pirade.
Iqbal said several police officers pulled at his shirt collar, choked him and threatened to beat him during the incident. (stu/ebf)