Journalist murdered in Sumatra

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) (Alliance of Independent Journalists, Indonesia) in expressing concern over the killing of an Indonesian journalist outside his home on Sunday, January 25.Beni Faisal, 42, chief editor of Fokus Lampung weekly was shot dead on Sunday night at 8pm in Lampung, on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra. He was killed by three assailants, who were recorded on security footage, staking out the premises prior to the shooting. Faisal went outside to confront the men and was carrying a machete and a spear. Faisal was shot in the chest and the men immediately fled the scene. He died at the scene.Reports suggest the attack was an attempted robbery to steal Faisal’s motorbike.Fokus Lampung is known for being critical toward government policies and public service institutions.AJI Secretary General Arfi Bambani Amri described the crime as a criminal act and called on local authorities to launch an investigation to ascertain if there was any possible link to his work.  The IFJ Asia-Pacific acting director Jane Worthington said; “We condemn the murder of Beni Faisal and call for immediate action to investigate the murder.”As part of the 2014 international mission to Indonesia, which IFJ joined, it was noted that journalists across the country report continued to experience acts of intimidation, threats and killings by both state and non-state actors.

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